Trader Joe’s Sued by Smucker’s Over Alleged Uncrustables Copycat Sandwiches

Trader Joe’s is facing a lawsuit from The J.M. Smucker Company, the maker of the popular Uncrustables brand, over what Smucker’s calls an “obvious copycat” product. Filed on October 13, 2025, in federal court in Ohio, the suit accuses Trader Joe’s of trademark infringement and unfair competition for selling its own Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwiches, which Smucker’s claims are deceptively similar in both design and packaging to Uncrustables.

Smucker’s argues that Trader Joe’s is attempting to capitalize on the success of Uncrustables, a brand that has grown into a $1 billion business, producing over 1.5 billion sandwiches annually.

What’s at Issue

The lawsuit centers on several key claims:

• Trader Joe’s crustless sandwiches allegedly mimic the round shape and sealed edge design of Uncrustables
• The packaging is said to resemble Smucker’s branding, potentially causing consumer confusion
• Smucker’s asserts that Trader Joe’s product could mislead customers into thinking it is affiliated with or endorsed by the Uncrustables brand

Smucker’s emphasized that while it doesn’t object to competitors selling frozen, thaw-and-eat crustless sandwiches, it cannot allow others to use its trademarked design elements without permission.

Why It Matters

This case highlights the growing tension between private label innovation and intellectual property protection in the grocery industry. Trader Joe’s is known for its creative spins on popular products, but Smucker’s argues that this particular imitation crosses a legal line.

Legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for how far store brands can go in emulating national products—especially when it comes to design trademarks, which are harder to defend than logos or names.

What’s Next

Trader Joe’s has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. If the court sides with Smucker’s, Trader Joe’s may be forced to alter the design or packaging of its crustless sandwiches—or pull them from shelves entirely.

The case is expected to proceed in the coming months, with both sides likely to present arguments around consumer perception, brand recognition, and product differentiation.