J.M. Smucker sued Trader Joe's in Ohio federal court, alleging the grocer's new frozen PB&J sandwiches mimic Uncrustables' trademarks—from round, crustless, crimped edges to blue-lettered packaging and a bitten sandwich image. Smucker seeks restitution and court-ordered destruction of products and boxes. A message seeking comment was left with Trader Joe's. An intellectual property attorney said Smucker's registrations strengthen its case, though Trader Joe's could argue the crimping is functional and its sandwiches appear more square. Smucker cited online posts suggesting private-label ties as evidence of confusion and previously warned another maker in 2022.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.