US manufacturer JM Smucker has reportedly taken aim at one of the country’s foremost retailers with a lawsuit centred on the Uncrustables brand.
According to media reports in the US, JM Smucker has filed a suit in Ohio accusing Trader Joe’s of selling sandwiches that mimic its Uncrustables products.
In a document posted online by Reuters detailing the lawsuit, the manufacturer claimed Trader Joe’s “has launched an obvious copycat” with its own Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam sandwiches.
“Smucker does not take issue with others in the marketplace selling prepackaged, frozen, thaw-and-eat crustless sandwiches. But it cannot allow others to use Smucker’s valuable intellectual property to make such sales,” the lawsuit reads.
The launch of the Trader Joe’s product “constitutes trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition, false designation of origin and deceptive trade practices”, it added.
JM Smucker is seeking “damages, costs, profits and injunctive relief” under Ohio law.
Just Food has asked Trader Joe’s for comment.
JM Smucker has been able to consistently grow sales of its Uncrustables brands in recent years.
The company said in June that the 12 months to the end of April marked the “11th consecutive fiscal year” when Uncrustables' sales rose at a “double-digit” rate. In the 12-month period, Uncrustables net sales reached $920m; group sales were $2.21bn, down 3% year-on-year.
