Introduction to the Lawsuit
Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldi’s store-brand cookies and crackers “blatantly copies” Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos.
Details of the Lawsuit
In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldi’s packaging was “likely to deceive and confuse customers” and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its brands. The company is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks.
Lack of Response from Aldi
Aldi didn’t respond to messages seeking comment. The U.S. branch of Aldi, which is based in Batavia, Illinois, was named in the lawsuit.
Comparison of Products
In the lawsuit, Mondelez displayed side-by-side photos of multiple products. Aldi’s Thin Wheat crackers, for example, come in a gold box very similar to Mondelez’s Wheat Thins. Aldi’s chocolate sandwich cookies and Oreos both have blue packaging. The supermarket’s Golden Round crackers and Mondelez’s Ritz crackers are packaged in red boxes.
Examples of Similar Packaging
This combo of images shows, top row from left, Mondelez’s products Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies; bottom row from left, shows Aldi’s products, Peanut Butter Creme, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filing, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photos/Nam Y. Huh)
Background on Aldi
Aldi, which was founded in Germany, keeps prices low by primarily selling products under its own labels. It’s one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the U.S., with more than 2,500 stores in 39 states. On Friday, the company announced that its current chief operating officer, Atty McGrath, would become Aldi’s U.S. CEO on Sept. 1.
Previous Lawsuits Against Aldi
The chain has faced lawsuits over its packaging before. Last year, an Australian court found that Aldi infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children. In that case, Aldi’s packaging featured a cartoon owl and similar colors to the name-brand packaging. Earlier this year, a U.K. appeals court ruled in favor of Thatchers, a cider company, which sued Aldi over design similarities in the packaging of its lemon cider.
Mondelez’s Claims
Mondelez said in its lawsuit that the company had contacted Aldi on numerous occasions about “confusingly similar packaging.” Mondelez said Aldi discontinued or changed the packaging on some items but continued to sell others.
Additional Allegations
The lawsuit also alleges that Aldi infringed on Mondalez’s trade dress rights for the packaging of Nutter Butter and Nilla Wafers cookies, and its Premium cracker brand.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Mondelez International against Aldi supermarket chain highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the competitive snack food industry. The outcome of this lawsuit will likely have significant implications for both companies and may set a precedent for future cases involving similar packaging disputes.
FAQs
Q: What is the basis of the lawsuit filed by Mondelez International against Aldi?
A: The lawsuit alleges that Aldi’s packaging for its store-brand cookies and crackers “blatantly copies” Mondelez products, which could confuse customers and harm Mondelez’s brands.
Q: What products are specifically mentioned in the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit mentions Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins, Oreos, Nutter Butter, and Nilla Wafers cookies, as well as Premium crackers.
Q: Has Aldi faced similar lawsuits in the past?
A: Yes, Aldi has faced lawsuits over its packaging before, including a case in Australia where it was found to have infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs, and a case in the U.K. where it was sued by Thatchers, a cider company, over design similarities in packaging.
Q: What is Mondelez seeking in the lawsuit?
A: Mondelez is seeking monetary damages and a court order that would stop Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks.
