J.M. Smucker Co. has filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, alleging that their new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches infringe on its Uncrustables trademarks in design and packaging, seeking damages and destruction of infringing products.
J.M. Smucker Co. has filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, alleging that their new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches infringe on Smucker’s Uncrustables trademarks in design and packaging, claiming the similarities could confuse customers and violate intellectual property rights.
J.M. Smucker Co. plans to remove FD&C artificial colors from all its consumer food products by 2027, focusing on sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and some Hostess products, with a goal to cease sales of such products to K-12 schools by 2026/2027, aligning with consumer demand for natural ingredients.
J.M. Smucker, the maker of jellies, Jif peanut butter, and Uncrustables, has agreed to acquire Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies, Ho Hos, and Ding Dongs, in a $5.6 billion deal. The takeover will add iconic sweet snacks to Smucker's portfolio, which already includes coffee and pet food brands. Analysts have raised questions about how the brands will blend, given Smucker's lack of shelf-stable snacks, but Smucker expects to cut $100 million in costs within two years. Hostess Brands, which has experienced bankruptcy in the past, has been able to increase sales and profits by raising prices in response to supply chain disruptions and higher energy prices.
The post-Covid spending hangover has made people more selective with their spending, and the pet industry is no exception. While the "humanization of pets" trend is still in play, not all pet companies stand to benefit. Pure pet plays like Petco and Chewy have become controversial stocks, but General Mills and Smucker are good options for those who want to invest in the pet theme without taking on too much risk.