Each week, we round up the biggest stories in the international world of Aldi. Here’s what we’ve been reading:
United States: Hawaiian Bread Maker Settles Lawsuit Against Aldi
King’s Hawaiian, which makes sweet bread, has settled a lawsuit against Aldi filed in November 2018 that dealt with packaging.
The lawsuit alleged Aldi infringed on intellectual property rights when the discount grocer sold sweet Hawaiian bread stuffing in a bright orange box that was very similar to King’s Hawaiian’s packaging. Aldi frequently sells its store-brand products in packaging that closely resembles name-brand products.
This is the second time King’s Hawaiian has taken Aldi to court, with the first lawsuit occurring in 2015 and involving Aldi selling sweet rolls in packages that were too similar to King’s Hawaiian.
John Linehan, president and chief strategy officer of King’s Hawaiian, said, “The King’s Hawaiian packaging trade dress is one of our most valuable assets, and King’s Hawaiian has assembled a top-notch, two-firm legal team to protect and to enforce our intellectual property rights in the trade dress. We have invested significant time and resources, and it is our intent that this legal team will vigorously pursue any infringement of our trade dress any time, in any place, and at any cost.”
Source: bakingbusiness.com
United States: Father of Man Shot and Killed by Police at Aldi Speaks Out
The father of a man who was shot and killed by police at an Aldi store on Feb. 21 in Baltimore County, Md., has stated that his son suffered from a mental illness. He believes police could have used other methods to subdue him.
Emanuel Oates, 24, was brandishing a machete in an Aldi store after police pursued him for allegedly shoplifting from a nearby dollar store. He died the day after the shooting, and the two police officers who are involved are on routine administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
Oates’ father, Randolph Oates, visited the Aldi store where his son was shot on Wednesday.
“He was a loving kid, a loving kid. When he was right, very caring. Loved his family, he was very good with computers,” said Randolph Oates.
He says his son was homeless and had an extreme mental illness, and he wishes the incident could have been dealt with differently.
Police say Emanuel Oates charged at them with a machete before they shot him several times.
“It’s just a tragedy. A tragedy for me and my family,” Randolph Oates said. “We’re really grieving right now, I’m grieving right now. It’s really hard for me,” he said.
Source: WBALTV
Germany: Aldi Recalls Sausages Sold at Stores Near Hanover
Aldi is warning customers not to eat 100-gram sausages from the Wiltman brand that were sold at stores near the city of Hanover because they may contain the bacteria listeria.
Aldi announced on Tuesday that it had been made aware of the fact that some of its meat products sold near Hanover were infected with the dangerous bacteria.
“This germ can cause flu-like symptoms and, in certain individuals, very serious disease,” Wiltman said on its website, apologizing “for the inconvenience.”
Individuals most at risk include pregnant women, the elderly, small children, and people with an already weakened immune system.
Source: dw.com
