Oreo maker sues Aldi over alleged copycat cookie packaging
Oreo maker sues Aldi over alleged copycat cookie packaging Some of the popular snack packaging the lawsuit alleges Aldi copied include Oreos, Wheat Thins, Nutter Butters, Chips Ahoy, Nilla Wafers, Ritz, Teddy Grahams and more.
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The maker of Oreos, Chips Ahoy cookies, Ritz crackers and other popular snacks is suing Aldi, alleging the supermarket chain is using packaging that "blatantly copies" their products.
Mondelēz International filed the civil complaint on May 27 in an Illinois federal court. According to the complaint, obtained and reviewed by USA TODAY, the Chicago-headquartered company said Aldi's alleged actions are "likely to deceive and confuse consumers and dilute the distinctive quality of Mondelēz's unique product packaging."
Aldi, which sells low-priced private-label cookie and cracker snacks, has a "pattern and practice of selling products in packaging that are unacceptable copies of Mondelēz's," the manufacturer alleges in the complaint.
Mondelēz said in the court filing that it has contacted Aldi on "numerous occasions" objecting to the supermarket chain's alleged use of "confusingly similar packaging" and demanding that it cease and desist its "unlawful infringement."
The snack maker is seeking monetary damages and a court order effectively stopping Aldi from selling products that infringe on its trademarks.
USA TODAY contacted Aldi and Mondelēz on May 30 but has not received a response.
What snack packaging is Mondelēz alleging Aldi copied?
The popular snack brands Mondelēz is alleging Aldi copied include Oreos, Wheat Thins, Nutter Butters, Chips Ahoy, Nilla Wafers, Ritz, Premium Saltine Crackers, Teddy Grahams, Belvita biscuits, Tate's Bake Shop cookies and Triscuit crackers, according to the complaint.
After being contacted by Mondelēz, Aldi discontinued and/or changed certain of the alleged infringing products, the complaint says. However, Aldi continued to sell products in packaging that resembles Mondelēz's snacks, which are trademarked, the court document continued.
Mondelēz is informed and believes that at least some of the products in its lawsuit are manufactured and distributed nationally to Aldi stores from a supplier or suppliers in Ohio, the complaint reads.
Throughout the complaint, Mondelēz includes side-by-side comparisons of its trademarked snack packaging and Aldi's alleged infringing products, including Oreos and the supermarket chain's "Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Vanilla Filling."
Aldi previously sued for copyright infringement
Mondelēz is not the only company to sue Aldi, as an Australian federal court ruled a year ago that the supermarket chain infringed on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs for young children, according to The Guardian and Associated Press.
In the Baby Bellies case, Aldi's packaging featured a cartoon owl with colors similar to the name-brand packaging, the outlets reported. Hampden Holdings, the owner of Baby Bellies, sent the supermarket chain a letter alleging copyright infringement, subsequently prompting the company to take Aldi to court concerning 11 product designs, according to The Guardian.
'Aldi sought to use for its own commercial advantage the designs that had been developed by a trade rival,' the federal judge said, per The Guardian. 'Although Aldi may have intended, if possible, to avoid infringement and legal liability, it took the risk that its use of the Bellies designs would exceed what the law allows. I consider Aldi's conduct to be flagrant.'
Federal courts in the United Kingdom and Australia ruled in favor of Aldi in 2018 after the cosmetic company, Moroccanoil Israel, alleged the discount supermarket chain's product packaging and branding were too similar to theirs.
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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
MLB teams most likely to be sellers at trade deadline — and the players they could shop
With the calendar flipping to June, the MLB trade deadline is less than two months away. That leaves about eight weeks for contending teams to make deals to acquire players to improve their rosters, and eight weeks for non-contenders to start to rebuild for 2026 and beyond. Of course, there's a lot of baseball to be played between now and the July 31 deadline, but the landscape is starting to take shape. So let's begin to take stock, with the caveat that there will be changes along the way that no one can foresee. Advertisement Below are the nine teams that I currently believe will become 'sellers' at this year's trade deadline, but keep in mind several other teams that remain in contention now will join this list by the All-Star break (or shortly thereafter). It's pretty obvious, based on their records and low expectations entering the season, that the Rockies, White Sox, Pirates, Athletics, Marlins and Angels will be selling. Meanwhile, the Nationals, although hovering around .500, are a year away from legitimately contending, so they, too, need to focus on future seasons, and I expect them to ultimately be sellers. That leaves two surprise sellers on my initial list: the Orioles and Diamondbacks. At the start of the season, I thought both would make the playoffs as wild-card teams, but they've underperformed. Their pitching staffs have been riddled with injuries and just haven't delivered. The Orioles' staff ranks 28th in the majors with a 5.27 ERA, while the D-Backs' pitchers haven't fared much better (24th, 4.81 ERA). Baltimore is in worse shape, in the standings and overall — Arizona's offense ranks fourth in MLB in OPS and fifth in runs scored — but both teams have dug holes and, barring a change in fortune, it's probably best they become sellers. As the Orioles and Diamondbacks weigh whether to sell, they'll consider that they could become the headliners of this trade deadline in a sellers' market. They could both make shrewd trade deadline deals, then enter the offseason a key free agent or two away from contending again next year. Since most of this year's likely sellers don't have a lot of talent to trade, Baltimore and Arizona could take advantage of the lackluster market. The Orioles could dangle impact bat Ryan O'Hearn (175 OPS+), elite center fielder Cedrick Mullins and veteran starting pitchers such as Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano. The Diamondbacks, particularly if they learn ace Corbin Burnes will miss significant time with an elbow injury, could make starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly available in trade talks and could put first baseman Josh Naylor on the trade market too. All seven of those players are impending free agents. Advertisement It can be a tough and unpopular call to sell in these situations, and both teams have time to make that decision. Both expected to play in the postseason this year, but if they instead play at the trade deadline, then next year they could be in a much stronger position for October baseball. For now, here is my take on the nine teams that I believe will be sellers at the trade deadline, along with the players they could shop or contenders would covet. Starting pitchers: The Rockies don't have much to trade from their majors-worst rotation, but a team could take a chance on Kyle Freeland, who has posted a 4.29 ERA over six road starts this season. Freeland, 32, is making $16 million this year and will earn $16 million in 2026, plus has a $17 million vesting option for 2027 that's triggered if he reaches 170 innings next year. He's a back-of-the-rotation lefty who could benefit from a change of scenery and not having to pitch half his games in Coors Field. Relief pitchers: Colorado could dangle its two closers, Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen, or even set-up relievers such as Jake Bird and Victor Vodnik. The historically bad Rockies are in no position to hang onto relievers if they could be dealt for either starting pitching prospects or everyday position players at any level. Catchers/Infielders: Veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon is a trade candidate with the positional flexibility to also play second base. He's signed through 2027 and will make $32 million over the final two years of the contract. However, he has struggled this year at the plate (83 OPS+) and just doesn't have the trade value he possessed in the past four years, when he averaged 20-plus home runs per season. Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is their most valuable infielder, but he's an important building block and not going anywhere. Advertisement Outfielders/DH: Their most valuable outfielder, center fielder Brenton Doyle, is having a down year, but the two-time Gold Glove Award winner is a keeper for the long term. Jordan Beck has some value, but the second-year major leaguer is unlikely to be moved. Most likely to be traded: LHP Kyle Freeland, 3B Ryan McMahon, RHP Seth Halvorsen Starting pitchers: The White Sox are developing a young rotation that includes Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Davis Martin and Jonathan Cannon — none of whom is expected to get traded. Adrian Houser, the lone healthy veteran in their rotation, could be dealt to a team looking for back-of-the-rotation depth. Relief pitchers: Steven Wilson will probably be traded. The veteran righty will be arbitration-eligible for two more years. He's allowed only one run over his past seven appearances and has a 2.16 ERA on the season. Catchers/Infielders: Miguel Vargas is the only infielder the White Sox could get nibbles on. The ex-Dodger has had a solid season at third base with eight homers, 15 doubles and 26 RBIs, and he has some positional flexibility. However, Vargas is only 25 years old and Chicago is not looking to trade him. Outfielders/DH: Luis Robert Jr. is their top trade chip, but he's had a brutal start to the season, batting just .177 with a .266 on-base percentage. He does have five homers and 21 stolen bases and plays plus defense in center field, but — unless he starts raking in June and July — the White Sox's asking price will have to come way down. Most likely to be traded: CF Luis Robert Jr., RHP Adrian Houser and RHP Stephen Wilson Starting pitchers: The Pirates can shop veteran lefty Andrew Heaney, an impending free agent. He has posted a 3.39 ERA over 12 starts and can help eat innings at the back of a rotation. They are less likely to trade from the rest of their rotation, which includes ace Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Bailey Falter along with Jared Jones, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Advertisement Relief pitchers: Pittsburgh has several relievers to trade including closers Dennis Santana and David Bednar, who are a combined 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season, and veteran lefty relievers Caleb Ferguson and Ryan Borucki. Catchers/Infielders: Second baseman Adam Frazier and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa can be shopped, but they would be merely extra players on a contending team rather than starting, like they do for Pittsburgh. The Pirates could explore trading third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, but he's having another poor offensive season and his power has never arrived. Hayes is signed through 2029, and although he'll make an affordable $7.5 million annually over the next four years and deliver strong defense, most teams wouldn't want his contract. Outfielders/DH: It's unlikely the Pirates trade any of their outfielders. Oneil Cruz, their best player, isn't going anywhere. Bryan Reynolds is having a down year and is owed more than $15 million per year through 2030. DH Andrew McCutchen is expected to finish his career as a Pirate. Most likely to be traded: LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Dennis Santana, 2B/OF Adam Frazier Starting pitchers: The A's could listen to inquiries on lefty Jeffrey Springs, whom they acquired in a trade with the Rays in the offseason, and fellow southpaw JP Sears; both have multiple years of team control. It's not like they'd want to move either, but they'd at least listen in case they get a compelling offer. Relief pitchers: Every contender would want the A's closer, Mason Miller, but there is no indication they'll trade him. Don't be surprised if they at least listen on Miller, who is under team control through 2029, as he could bring back a franchise-changing haul in prospects. It's more likely they move righty Tyler Ferguson, who has a 3.76 ERA over 27 appearances. Catchers/Infielders: The A's have a solid young infield but they're movable pieces are backup players such as Miguel Andujar (strained oblique), Luis Urías or Gio Urshela (hamstring strain). However, two of the three are on the injured list and none of them has much trade value. Advertisement Outfielders/DH: It's unlikely an outfielder or DH is moved. Most likely to be traded: LHP Jeffrey Springs, RHP Tyler Ferguson, 3B/OF Miguel Andujar Starting pitchers: After losing their best starter (Corbin Burnes) in free agency to the Diamondbacks last offseason and their next best starter (Grayson Rodriguez) to the IL this season with elbow inflammation, the Orioles will need to listen to trade offers on the rest of their rotation to begin their reboot in earnest. Tomoyuki Sugano is having a solid first year in MLB (3.23 ERA over 11 starts), but he's 35 years old. Zach Eflin will be a free agent at season's end, so dealing the righty for prospects and then trying to re-sign him in the offseason probably makes sense. Also, despite his poor start to the season, if Charlie Morton (6.20 ERA) can put together a string of good outings, he's another veteran who could be traded. Relief pitchers: The Orioles don't want to move their impact closer, Félix Bautista, who is under team control through 2027, but they'll at least listen to see if they get an overwhelming offer. Otherwise, veterans such as righty Seranthony Domínguez and lefty Gregory Soto, both impending free agents, should be traded. The Orioles might even listen to inquiries on Yennier Cano and Keegan Akin to see if some team will offer solid pitching prospects in return. They must rebuild their pitching staff with younger arms. Catchers/Infielders: The Orioles can shop both of their first base/DH power bats in Ryan O'Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle. O'Hearn, who is slashing .329/.416/.535 with nine homers and 22 RBIs, has the most trade value of any Orioles player. He will be a free agent after this season. Mountcastle is on the IL with a strained hamstring but his raw right-handed power still has some value. That said, his home run totals have declined every year since 2021. Outfielders/DH: Cedric Mullins is also on the IL with a strained hamstring but should be healthy by the trade deadline. An elite defensive center fielder, Mullins is having a solid offensive year with 10 homers, eight steals and a 123 OPS+ in 50 games. He will be a free agent after the season. Most likely to be traded: 1B/DH Ryan O'Hearn, CF Cedric Mullins, RHP Zach Eflin Advertisement Starting pitchers: In March, Sandy Alcantara was expected to be a headliner of this year's trade deadline, but he hasn't been able to regain his Cy Young Award form of 2022 after returning from Tommy John surgery. It would be foolish for the Marlins to swap Alcantara with his ERA so high (8.47 ERA) and trade value so low. They'll need to wait until the offseason or next year's deadline — he's under team control through 2027 — before they consider trading him. The rest of the Marlins' rotation consists of 25- to 27-year-old starters like Max Meyer, Ryan Weathers and Edward Cabrera who are building blocks. That leaves veteran Cal Quantrill as the only likely trade chip from this group, but he has a 5.84 ERA over 11 starts. Relief pitchers: The Marlins could listen to offers on some of their relievers including Ronny Henriquez (2.20 ERA, 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings), Jesus Tinoco (5.12 ERA, four saves), Calvin Faucher (4.95 ERA, four saves) and Anthony Bender (1.52 ERA). Catchers/Infielders: They really don't have anything to trade in the infield as it is filled with young, developing players with minimal service time. Outfielders/DH: The same can be said for the outfield and DH positions, though right fielder Jesús Sánchez is an exception. He will be arbitration-eligible in 2026 and is a left-handed bat (109 OPS+) some contending teams could chase. Most likely to be traded: RF Jesús Sánchez, RHP Cal Quantrill, RHP Anthony Bender Starting pitchers: The Angels could shop their best starter, Yusei Kikuchi (3.06 ERA), but it's unlikely they trade the lefty after signing him to a three-year, $63 million deal to headline their offseason. They could dangle José Soriano or Tyler Anderson, both of whom have ERAs under 3.90 this season. Anderson, 35, will be a free agent after this season. Advertisement Relief pitchers: Kenley Jansen is 12-for-12 in save opportunities and should have some trade value. Other relievers who could get moved include Ryan Zeferjahn and Brock Burke. Catchers/Infielders: Veteran catcher Travis d'Arnaud could get traded to a contender as could versatile infielder Luis Rengifo and maybe even third baseman Yoán Moncada (IL). D'Arnaud is signed through 2026, while the other two are impending free agents. Outfielders/DH: Left fielder Taylor Ward could bring back the best prospect package. He has 16 homers and 11 doubles with a .271 on-base percentage and is under team control through next year. Jorge Soler and his power bat could be traded again, and it probably makes sense for the Angels to get out of his contract ($16 million per year through 2026) if possible. Most likely to be traded: LF Taylor Ward, RHP Kensley Jansen, LHP Tyler Anderson Starting pitchers: Veterans Michael Soroka and Trevor Williams could get moved if they have a strong run of starts in June and July. Both are back-of-the-rotation inning-eaters at this point. Relief pitchers: The Nationals didn't trade closer Kyle Finnegan at last year's trade deadline and then were able to re-sign him in the offseason on an affordable one-year contract. Finnegan has 16 saves and a 2.61 ERA, and I'll be surprised if he isn't traded at this year's deadline. Lefty Andrew Chafin, who has been traded at the deadline two years in a row, could be on the move again. He has a 2.00 ERA in 12 appearances and left-handed batters are hitting .200 against him. Catchers/infielders: The only infielders who could get traded are utility types such as Amed Rosario and Paul DeJong, the latter of whom is on the IL with a broken nose. Outfielders/DH: They won't trade from their young outfield of James Wood in left, Robert Hassell III in center and Dylan Crews in right, although if center fielder Jacob Young comes back healthy from a sprained shoulder, he could get moved. He's a plus defender who can really run in center, ranking in the 94th percentile in sprint speed and the 85th percentile in outs above average (defensive range). In addition, Josh Bell could be traded again, but he'll have to perform much better in June and July for anyone to have interest. Advertisement Most likely to be traded: RHP Kyle Finnegan, CF Jacob Young, LHP Andrew Chafin Starting pitchers: Corbin Burnes underwent an MRI after exiting Sunday's game with an elbow issue. If the Diamondbacks get bad news on Burnes, they could become surprise sellers at the trade deadline, and if that happens, they could trade Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as both are impending free agents. Gallen is having a subpar year — he's logged a 5.54 ERA, more than two runs over his career mark — and would have to pitch much better over his next five to six starts for the Diamondbacks to get anything close to his value if he were pitching at his accustomed level. Relief pitchers: The Diamondbacks could shop veteran relievers such as Shelby Miller, Jalen Beeks, Ryan Thompson and Kendall Graveman, all of whom are in their 30s. Catchers/Infielders: Arizona made a great trade in the offseason to land first baseman Josh Naylor, but if they pivot to selling, he will probably get dealt again given he's in his free-agent walk year. Naylor, 27, would be an excellent fit for the Seattle Mariners or Cincinnati Reds. Outfielders/DH: Randal Grichuk could be dealt to a team that needs an extra outfielder; he has some power and has learned how to come off the bench successfully. Most likely to be traded: RHP Zac Gallen, 1B Josh Naylor, RHP Shelby Miller (Top image photos: Ryan O'Hearn: Winslow Townson / Getty Images; Taylor Ward: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Snack Wrap unwrapped: Here's why McDonald's is bringing back a fan favorite on July 10
If McDonald's ever doubted it needed to bring back the Snack Wrap, consider this: Nine years after the fast-food powerhouse discontinued the item in the U.S., customers have continued to order it at drive-thrus. Those customers won't have to leave empty-handed for long. On Tuesday, McDonald's announced that a new version of the Snack Wrap will go on sale July 10. McDonald's invented the Snack Wrap — a tortilla full of chicken, lettuce, shredded cheese and sauce — almost two decades ago to make it easier to eat its chicken on the go. But it was too complicated for its kitchens to prepare, so the burger giant abandoned the Snack Wrap in the U.S. in 2016. The decision devastated fans like Alicia Force, a musician and administrative assistant at a high school in Missouri. Force tried to make Snack Wraps at home and sampled alternatives from Arby's and other restaurants, but nothing was the same. So she started a Facebook group with 86 members urging McDonald's to resurrect the Snack Wrap. Other loyal noshers weighed in too. A petition asking McDonald's to bring back the Snack Wrap has nearly 19,000 signatures. A TikTok video showing a U.S. food reviewer eating Snack Wraps in Ireland — where they're still sold — racked up more than 1.4 million views. It had an impact. McDonald's began teasing a Snack Wrap reappearance earlier this year. 'We listen to our fans, and the Snack Wrap's return is a testament to that,' McDonald's U.S. President Joe Erlinger told The Associated Press. But McDonald's has other reasons for the reboot. The Snack Wrap's lower price point could lure back inflation-weary customers, who have been eating fewer fast-food meals in recent months. The wraps' smaller size and tortilla casing also appeal to the health-conscious. Steve Davis, a mental health counselor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, used to buy six grilled chicken Snack Wraps at a time and keep them in his fridge as a grab-and-go snack. 'I'm not actually a fast-food fan, but Snack Wraps felt different, like I was eating an actual 'wrap.' I felt like I was being healthier,' Davis said. Snack Wraps will also help McDonald's compete with a growing number of rivals. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen introduced its own chicken wraps on Monday, while Burger King and Wendy's have sold them since 2023. Even the convenience store chain Wawa sells a chicken wrap. 'There's so much opportunity in the chicken category,' Erlinger said. Fast-food chicken sales are nearly twice the size of beef and are growing more quickly across the globe, Erlinger said. Reviving the Snack Wrap was a years-long process, Erlinger said. First, McDonald's wanted to develop a better fried chicken strip. After several years of testing, the Chicago-based company debuted its peppery McCrispy Strips in early May. McDonald's also had to update its Snack Wrap tools, simplify the preparation process and train workers at its 13,500 U.S. restaurants, Erlinger said. 'With this being one of our most highly anticipated menu items, we knew we had one chance to knock it out of the park. It had to be easy for crew to execute,' Erlinger said. For the U.S. comeback, McDonald's is offering fewer kinds of Snack Wraps to ensure faster service. It used to have both grilled and fried chicken options, but it's only offering fried chicken in the U.S. for now. And the relaunched Snack Wraps will only come in two flavors: Ranch or Spicy. The company used to offer additional sauces like honey mustard and sweet chili. That could disappoint some fans. Force was partial to a Snack Wrap with honey mustard sauce, for example. Davis always got grilled chicken on his Snack Wraps, and he rarely went to McDonald's after they disappeared. McDonald's continues to have a wider range of options in some other markets where Snack Wraps never went away. Canada still offers grilled or fried chicken in its Snack Wraps, for example, as well as chicken, fish and breakfast versions of full-sized wraps. McDonald's wouldn't say if it plans to add more Snack Wrap varieties in the U.S. 'We'll continue listening to our fans when it comes to menu innovations,' the company said. Snack Wraps are returning at a sluggish period for fast-food restaurants. From January through April, U.S. fast-food traffic was down 1% compared to the same period a year ago, said David Portalatin, a senior vice president and industry advisor for food service at market research firm Circana. McDonald's same-store sales – or sales at locations open at least a year – were down 3.6% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period last year. Its same-store sales grew less than 1% in 2024. Inflation is the main culprit, Portalatin said. In the first quarter of this year, the average check at a U.S. fast-food restaurant was up 41% from the same period in 2019, he said. The higher prices have led many Americans – especially middle- to lower-income families – to eat at home instead of going out. McDonald's has tried to counter that with a limited McValue menu and increased deals. But less expensive options like a Snack Wrap may also help. The company won't say how much the Snack Wrap will cost in the U.S. because prices will vary by location. But Burger King's prices may give a clue. At a Michigan restaurant this week, Burger King charged $2.99 for its Royal Crispy Wrap, the 310-calorie equivalent of a Snack Wrap. Burger King's Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich, with a bun, a larger chicken breast and nearly twice the calories, cost $5.49. Portalatin said snack-sized options from McDonald's and others also reflect Americans' changing dining habits. More people are choosing to eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of having having breakfast, lunch and dinner at their traditional times. 'The consumer doesn't think about things in the neat buckets that we as marketers like to think about them,' Portalatin said. 'We like to say, 'This occasion is lunch and these are lunch foods.' The consumer simply says, 'I'm hungry. What time is it? Where am I?'' That was certainly true for Force, who said she has fond memories of picking up a Snack Wrap after school as a teenager. She's looking forward to making that part of her routine once more. 'Hopefully, they come back and they taste the same, and they don't break my heart again, quite frankly,' she said.
Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
I tried 6 budget-friendly frozen pizzas from Aldi, and found some real winners under $5
I tried a few pies from Aldi's Mama Cozzi's label to see which frozen pizzas are the best. Each Mama Cozzi's pie was tasty, but I was disappointed by the Tavern-style extra-loaded supreme. The rising-crust four-cheese pie would've been my fave if I didn't try the stone-baked veggie pizza. Frozen pizza can be an easy, budget-friendly meal — but it doesn't need to taste as cheap as it sounds. Fortunately, Aldi has an array of budget-friendly frozen options under its Mama Cozzi's label that are under $10. However, with so many varieties (including seasonal flavors), it's hard to decide which ones are worth buying. So, I tried six frozen pizzas from Aldi and ranked them from my least favorite to my top pick. Here's how they stacked up. The Tavern-style extra-loaded supreme pizza sounded promising. With "extra loaded" in the name, I was expecting to be impressed. The thin-crust pie is topped with bell peppers, Italian sausage, red onion, pepperoni, and mushrooms. When I removed this pizza from the box, though, it looked like it was only topped with cheese. Upon closer inspection, I saw a smattering of toppings buried beneath the shreds. I was curious to see how it'd cook. I was a bit confused by this pie. The photo on the pizza box didn't look anything like my final pie. Once cooked, the toppings were nearly invisible aside from a few peppers and pepperoni pieces sticking out on the edges. The cheese got wonderfully golden, but the peppers and meat pieces below it didn't crisp up much. All in all, this pizza had a decent flavor, but not enough toppings. This was still better than frozen pizzas I've tried from many other brands, it was my least favorite of the group. Mama Cozzi's French-bread pepperoni pizza was pretty affordable. This was great, but I'm not sure it hits my craving for pizza. This felt more like a toasted, open-faced pepperoni sandwich than a pizza. The bread was crunchy, but I found myself missing a more typical crust. Plus, this seemed to have far less cheese than any other pizzas I tried. I could see way too much of the sauce peeking through the layer of shredded mozzarella. Still, I enjoyed eating this and thought the pepperoni (made with pork, beef, and chicken) tasted exceptionally good. I felt confident I'd enjoy the original thin supreme pizza. For what it's worth, I lived on Mama Cozzi's original thin-crust pizzas throughout the pandemic. Although they cost more now than they did in 2021, they're still a great value at $3.19 a pie for three servings of pizza. For this taste test, I tried the supreme variety that comes with pepperoni, sausage, green pepper, and onion. There were loads of toppings on this pie. This pizza was pretty impressive as it seemed loaded with all of the aforementioned toppings. Each bite seemed to have pepperoni or sausage. The cracker-like crust wasn't anything to write home about in terms of flavor, but it was the perfect crunchy conduit for the toppings. Mama Cozzi's flatbread pizza with pepperoni and mozzarella had potential. Flatbread pizzas can be hit or miss. Sometimes their crusts get soggy or too crisp, but they can be delicious when done well. This rectangular flatbread pizza from Mama Cozzi's that I tried is made with both sliced and diced pepperoni, plus fresh mozzarella. I found myself pleasantly surprised by this pizza. My very first bite surprised me. The crust was buttery and flaky in a light, airy, beautiful way. The ratio of cheese to meat seemed well-balanced, and the different pepperoni cuts helped the toppings feel more evenly distributed. The rectangular shape made the pizza fairly easy to eat, which I also liked. All in all, this pizza was delicious. The rising-crust four-cheese pizza seemed like it was going to be a bit overwhelming. The most indulgent pizza of them all seemed to be Mama Cozzi's four-cheese pizza with a rising crust described as "fluffy" and "full." Toppings include Asiago, Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella and, in terms of ounces, this pizza was the heaviest. It cost me $4.19 and has six servings. Its crust was indeed fluffy and full. As basically promised by the box, the crust was the softest and pillowiest of the pies on this list. I tasted notes of each individual cheese atop a slightly sweet red sauce. Asiago and Parmesan added a nice salty flavor variety to the pie, too. I also found it to be incredibly filling — after two slices, I was satisfied. It was fantastic, even eaten cold and leftover, the next day. This would've been my favorite if not for one dark horse … Mama Cozzi's stone-baked veggie pizza caught me by surprise. Mama Cozzi's stone-baked veggie pizza with an Italian crust seemed loaded with red onion, spinach, grilled peppers, and grilled zucchini. I wasn't super excited to try it since I really enjoy meat and was a bit turned off by how little mozzarella appeared to be on the pie based on the photo on the box. The pizza cost me $3.99 and comes with four servings. I wasn't expecting this pie to be my favorite. Although I was skeptical, this pizza blew me away. The crust tasted buttery (though not as buttery as the flatbread's) and was very flavorful with Italian herbs and a fluffy-yet-crunchy texture. There was so little sauce that I barely noticed it, but I didn't find myself needing more. The pizza wasn't dry, and I liked that the vegetables on top were spread to the edge of the crust. This pizza's toppings were the tastiest and most colorful. With so many textures and flavors, the slight lack of cheese didn't bother me after all. All in all, this pizza was my top pick.
