Smucker Sues Trader Joe’s Over Look-Alike PB&J Sandwiches

The Battle of the Crustless Sandwiches

The J.M. Smucker Company, maker of the popular Uncrustables brand, has filed a federal lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, claiming the grocery chain’s new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are nearly identical in design and packaging. Filed in Ohio on Monday, the suit alleges Trader Joe’s sandwiches share the same round, crustless shape with pie-like crimped edges — a signature feature of Smucker’s Uncrustables — and even mimic its blue packaging and “bite mark” imagery.

Smucker Defends Its Brand

Smucker says the similarities infringe on its trademarks and could confuse consumers. The company argues it’s not opposing competition in the frozen sandwich space, but it won’t allow others to profit from its “valuable intellectual property.” Smucker seeks restitution and a court order requiring Trader Joe’s to surrender all infringing products and packaging for destruction.

A Slice of Trademark History

Uncrustables, first created in Minnesota in 1996, became a household staple after Smucker acquired the brand in 1998 and patented its “sealed, crustless sandwich” design the following year. Since then, Smucker has invested more than $1 billion into developing the brand, including expanding its flavors and perfecting production methods.

Copycat or Coincidence?

Legal experts note Trader Joe’s may argue the crimping is functional, not proprietary, and that its sandwiches appear slightly more square than Uncrustables. Cases like this often end in settlement — but for Smucker, protecting its crustless empire may be worth the fight.