Latest news with #Ritz
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oreo vs. Aldi: Snack Giant Sues Over 'Copycat' Cookies in Explosive Packaging War
Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is taking Aldi to courtand not over pricing, but packaging. In a federal lawsuit filed this week in Illinois, the snack giant claims Aldi's store-brand cookies and crackers are riding too closely on the coattails of its flagship products. Think Aldi's chocolate sandwich cookies in Oreo-blue wrappers or its Thin Wheat crackers dressed in gold like Wheat Thins. Mondelez says it's not a coincidenceand it's had enough. The company argues that Aldi's packaging could confuse shoppers and dilute the brand equity Mondelez has spent decades building. While Aldi has previously tweaked or pulled some lookalike designs after being contacted, Mondelez alleges several copycat packages remain on shelves. The lawsuit also names other productslike knockoffs of Nutter Butter, Ritz, and Premium crackersas part of a broader pattern that could, if unchecked, damage long-term brand value. Mondelez is asking the court to stop sales of these items and is also seeking financial damages. This legal push comes as Aldi continues its breakneck expansion across the U.S., now operating more than 2,500 stores and naming a new U.S. CEO set to take the reins in September. But with similar lawsuits already handed down in the U.K. and Australiaboth siding against Aldiinvestors might start asking whether these packaging clashes are isolated incidents or signs of mounting brand risk for a retailer that's built its empire by borrowing familiar cues. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oreo maker sues Aldi over alleged copycat cookie packaging
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. 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." 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. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oreo maker sues Aldi, alleges trademark infringement of packaging
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Minnie Dlamini's Parisian escape: a chic journey through fashion and flavours
South African actress and television host Minnie Dlamini is currently relishing a dreamy getaway in the romantic heart of France, taking her fans along for the ride through her vibrant Instagram updates. Known for her love of fashion and culture, Dlamini is fully embracing her Parisian adventure, sharing captivating snippets of her experiences in a city famed for its rich history, iconic landmarks, and culinary delights. Her latest posts reveal her enjoying elegant lunches and chic outdoor dining at local eateries, including a luxurious lunch at the Ritz with her friend, whom she fondly tags as Alia Ghussein. "Lunch at the Ritz with my @tanabata__7 💎," she shared, effortlessly blending glamour with enjoyable camaraderie in one of the city's most prestigious venues. In addition to fine dining, Dlamini has transformed the streets of Paris into her runway, showcasing her flair for style and fashion. After indulging in a spot of shopping at luxury French boutiques, she shared photos that exude sophistication and charm, embodying the essence of Parisian chic.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Aldi Is Facing A Lawsuit Over These Copycat Snacks
Copycat snacks are usually a less expensive, slightly different-tasting version of a popular cookie or cracker with similar branding to the original. Many copycat snacks have long been available at Aldi stores, but there's a notable issue with the way the grocery store is presenting them. Snack giant Mondelēz International has officially entered the chat with a lawsuit alleging that Aldi's snacks are packaged in a way that deliberately copies its successful brands like Chips Ahoy!, Nilla Wafers, Nutter Butter, Oreo, Premium saltine crackers, Ritz, and Wheat Thins. On May 27, 2025, the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and says that Aldi shoppers may associate the familiar branding with snacks they already know and love — influencing their overall buying decision. Mondelēz is seeking damages and the right to bar Aldi from using the branding for its products going forward. The Aldi private label snacks aren't new and have likely been available to shoppers in every state that has an Aldi location. Mondelēz maintains that the company has reached out prior to filing the lawsuit. The copycat snack lawsuit isn't the first one the grocery chain has faced, either. In 2023, Aldi faced a $10 million mislabeling class action lawsuit. Read more: 7 Must-Buy Aldi Items For First-Time Customers Mondelēz International's lawsuit against Aldi draws attention to the importance of packaging and brand association. Oreo cookies are a great example of this. In 2025, Oreo stands as the number one cookie in the United States, and aside from occasional special releases when Oreo collabs with celebrities like Selena Gomez, the iconic blue appearance has been around since 1998. With the cookie's popularity and longevity, most shoppers are very familiar with the look of the package and associate the distinct color with the Oreos they know and love. This emotional connection to already established brands is great for sales, but other companies can indeed capitalize on that by creating similar treats with similar packaging to win over the hearts (and wallets) of consumers. In a 2018 study by Ipsos, it was shown that 72% of American shoppers are influenced by the design of a product's package. The lawsuit against Aldi spans 36 pages and alleges that the nearly identical appearance of the copycat snacks -- like the chain's yellow box of "Thin Wheats" -- is an attempt at taking advantage of the longstanding Mondelēz reputation with shoppers. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
Business Insider
3 days ago
- General
- Business Insider
6 easy ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix, from a former pastry cook
As a pastry cook, I've learned tips that can take boxed brownie mixes from OK to extraordinary. To upgrade boxed brownies, I'd add some extracts or salty snacks to the batter. Coffee and extra chopped chocolate pieces can also make brownies even tastier. Years ago, I left my job in sales and social media to become a pastry cook in Charleston, South Carolina. Although I'm no longer in the field, I still use some of the skills and tricks I used for preparing and upgrading desserts. When it comes to brownies, I actually think that boxed mixes are close to perfect (especially when late-night chocolate cravings hit). However, there are a few simple ways I'd amp them up. Switch up your baking vessel for unique results. Most boxed brownies will call for a metal or glass baking pan, but there's some room for edits here. If you bake your brownie in a great cast-iron skillet, it'll develop crispy edges and a gooey center that everyone can fight over. To make perfectly portioned, single-serving brownies, use a muffin pan. These are great for on-the-go treats — even if you're just going to the couch. No matter what pan you use, just be sure to grease it with nonstick spray. Raid your snack drawer for salty toppings. Any time I can add in a savory element to my desserts, I will. Salty snacks like kettle chips, pretzels, almonds, or even Ritz crackers are a great way to balance out the sweetness in brownies while adding an extra bit of texture. Add in more chocolate pieces for extra gooey, flavorful brownies. If you're baking brownies, you likely have a hankering for chocolate. Lean into this craving and chop up a bar of your favorite chocolate to toss into the batter. Even if your mix already has chocolate chips, add in the chopped bits anyways. Chocolate chips contain stabilizers that help them maintain their shape, but chopped chocolate will create beautiful melted pockets in the brownies. Try adding nut or seed butter to make an even more decadent dessert. For an extra kick of richness and a bit of flair, dollop teaspoons of nut butter on top of your unbaked brownies and swirl them into the batter with a chopstick or butter knife. I prefer using unsweetened, salted peanut butter, but you can test out almond or pistachio butter. If you have a nut allergy or sensitivity, try swirling in some sunflower seed or granola butter. The marbled effect of swirling the nut butter into the batter bakes up beautifully and takes just a few extra seconds of effort. Different extracts can give boxed brownies a whole new flavor profile. Premade brownie mixes likely already contain vanilla, but you can amp up the flavor with an extra splash of your own vanilla extract. It's a small bit of effort that can make a world of difference. You can also switch up the flavor profile with peppermint extract for a festive spin or almond extract for a taste reminiscent of birthday cake. Coffee can elevate the chocolate flavor in brownies. Chocolate and coffee are a dynamic duo. If you want a subtle way to enhance the chocolate flavor of your brownies, add a teaspoon or two of espresso powder to the batter. If you're going for more of a mocha moment, replace the water in the box's directions with brewed coffee. Hot tip: Use decaf if the brownies are a late-night craving.
