Latest news with #snacks
New York Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
Snack Maker Sues Aldi Grocery Chain Over Look-Alike Product Packaging
Wheat Thins or Thin Wheat? Nutter Butters or Peanut Butter Crème Filled Cookies? Nilla Wafers or Vanilla Wafers? They may sound the same, look similar and, to some, even taste the same. And that's exactly the issue for Mondelez International, a corporate giant behind the name-brand versions of many snacks. Mondelez, which is based in Chicago, filed a lawsuit last month in a federal court in Illinois against the U.S. branch of the German supermarket chain Aldi, which has its U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Ill., over what it says is Aldi's look-alike product packaging. The suit says that Aldi 'blatantly copies' Mondelez signature snacks in a way that is 'likely to deceive and confuse customers.' The lawsuit also claims that some of Aldi's packaging threatens to 'dilute the distinctive quality of Mondelez's unique product packaging' and 'irreparably harm Mondelez and its valuable brands.' Mondelez is seeking monetary damages and a court order preventing Aldi from selling products that Mondelez claims infringe on its trademarks. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Brice's new truffle flavour brings gourmet indulgence to everyday snacking
SW Food head of marketing Vynce Lim (far right) said Brice differentiates itself from other snacks by being a healthy and delicious option. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : What if your next guilty pleasure wasn't guilty at all? That's exactly what SW Food is promising with the latest flavour in its Brice snack range – truffle. Launched under the ecoBrown's brand and backed by the slogan 'Snack the Smart Way', this new addition blends bold, sophisticated taste with nutritional value, giving snack lovers a reason to feel good about every bite. 'We chose truffle as our third flavour to bring a touch of indulgence to everyday snacking,' said Vynce Lim, head of marketing at SW Food. 'Truffle has been gaining popularity in the Malaysian market, and we wanted to make this luxurious flavour more accessible to everyone.' Truffle joins the popular Spicy Cheese and Seaweed flavours in the Brice lineup – both of which quickly found fans among Malaysians since their debut last year. Now this latest offering takes things up a notch with a flavour that's often associated with fine dining – now made accessible in a clean, crunchy rice snack. Truffle just got a healthy twist with Brice's latest flavour. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Friday's launch of Brice's new flavour caused a frenzy, and not just because of the snack: members of K-pop sensation Treasure – Choi Hyun Suk, Doyoung, Haruto, and Park Jeong Woo – officiated the event, sending fans into a full-blown frenzy. Hundreds of dedicated Treasure seekers, holding light sticks and donning personalised merch, lined up as early as 6am for a glimpse of their idols at the event in Sunway Pyramid. Screams echoed through the mall as the stars took the stage, creating an electrifying atmosphere that matched the excitement of the new flavour reveal. Brice snacks are made from a wholesome trio of brown rice, red rice, and black rice – ingredients chosen not just for their taste and texture but for their nutritional punch. Each serving is baked, not fried, and packed with dietary fibre as well as vitamins B3, B6 and E, making it a functional snack for those constantly on the go. K-pop boy band Treasure thrilled fans during the launch of Brice's new product on Friday. (Andrea Rhiannon Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) With the rising trend of mindful eating and wellness-driven lifestyles, Brice's timing could not be better. 'Brice stands out in the snack market by offering a healthier alternative without compromising on taste,' Lim noted. 'Our snacks are baked, not fried, making them a lighter option. 'We're committed to creating snacks that are not only delicious but also better for you.' Indeed, the truffle flavour offers a layer of earthiness and depth that elevates snacking, whether it's during a Netflix binge, a busy workday, or a quick bite between classes. For those new to the brand, Lim has this to say: 'Brice is the perfect choice for those looking for a guilt-free snacking experience. Our snacks are clean, crave-worthy, and made with care. 'Once you try it, you'll discover that being healthy can be irresistibly addictive.' Follow Brice on Instagram.
Yahoo
a day 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
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
What foods does TSA allow travelers to bring in carry-on luggage for flights?
"Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo recently revealed how a healthy snack she had with her for a flight was flagged by airport security and led to an incident. "I had a bag of sunflower seeds, like organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon, so they were probably the most expensive sunflower seeds money can buy," Pompeo recently told Travel + Leisure. The snack food, which she had in her travel bag during a flight in March, caught the attention of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Pompeo told the magazine, and resulted in her spending an hour in a room with the bomb squad. "They said it was most likely a chemical on the packaging of these super-expensive, fancy, organic, clean sunflower seeds," Pompeo said, adding that she almost missed her flight. The revelation comes after Chloe Gray, a passenger on a flight from New Jersey to California, was stopped by TSA earlier this month for using a whole rotisserie chicken as her carry-on luggage. Gray said she was able to fly after convincing a TSA officer that it was her "designer bag." Although many foods are allowed in carry-on bags, there are a few rules travelers should know when it comes to bringing snacks on a flight. TSA guidelines state that all food must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and should fit inside a quart-sized bag. Most outside solid foods are permitted on flights, while liquid-based foods are typically limited to checked luggage. Examples of approved food allowed in the cabin of a plane are sandwiches, granola bars, hard cheeses, candy, baked goods like muffins or cookies, dry snacks like chips and cereal without milk, meat and fast food like pizza or fried chicken, per the TSA's website. Foods that are not permitted include yogurt, peanut butter, jams and jellies, and soups. Syrups and gravies are also considered liquid-based foods by the TSA. Breast milk, formula and baby food are permitted as carry-on items when flying, but they must be declared and could be subject to additional screening, according to the agency. Fresh fruits and vegetables are allowed on domestic flights, but international flights could vary depending on the country. Some countries could restrict fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. Unopened sodas less than or equal to 3.4 ounces are allowed, according to the TSA website, while open sodas will be confiscated. Alcohol is also not allowed in carry-on luggage. "TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine," the website states. "Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving." Final decisions on what is permitted on flights is at the discretion of TSA officers.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Oreo maker sues Aldi over alleged cookie copy
The maker of Oreo has filed a lawsuit against Aldi, claiming the budget supermarket chain has been copying the packaging designs of its cookies and other snacks. Mondelez International manufactures popular snacks including Oreo, Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Ritz crackers. Many grocery chains sell their own versions of the snacks alongside the name-brand products, providing customers a more affordable option. Aldi, known for its low prices and no-frills stores, primarily sells products under its own brand. But the global snack giant claims the packaging for Aldi's store-brand cookies and crackers 'blatantly copies' its products and was 'likely to deceive and confuse customers.' Mondelez included side-by-side photos in its lawsuit, comparing the packaging of its name-brand snacks to that of Aldi's. The photos show Mondelez's Nutter Butter cookie packaging which displays a peanut-shaped cookie against a red background. Aldi's Peanut Butter Créme Filled Cookies also have red packaging, but instead of showing a peanut-shaped cookie, it had a circular cookie with peanut images in front of it. Aldi's Chocolate Chip Cookies and Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies With Vanilla Filling have blue packaging, similar to the branding of Mondelez's Chips Ahoy and Oreo cookies. But the words and images of the cookies differ. Mondelez also claim that Aldi infringed on its rights for the packaging of Nutter Butter cookies, Nilla Wafers cookies and its Premium crackers. Mondelez argues the similar packaging threatens to irreparably damage the company and its brands. The company said it has reached out to Aldi multiple times about 'confusingly similar packaging.' While Aldi has discontinued some products or altered the packaging, it continued to sell others, Mondelez claims. Mondelez hopes to get the court to order Aldi to stop selling products that it says infringe on its trademarks, as well as monetary damages. The Independent has reached out to Mondelez and Aldi for comment. Aldi has lost in court in two other disputes over its packaging, including in Australia for infringing on the copyright of Baby Bellies snack puffs and in the United Kingdom for packaging design similarities to Thatchers lemon cider.
