> At a Glance
> – A Dec. 23 class-action lawsuit alleges the McRib contains no actual pork rib meat
> – Plaintiffs say the sandwich uses lower-grade pork cuts like shoulder, heart, and stomach
> – McDonald’s calls the suit “inaccurate” and insists the McRib uses 100% pork
> – Why it matters: The outcome could affect millions of McRib buyers and how chains label limited-time items
A viral favorite is now a legal flashpoint. Four consumers filed a federal suit accusing McDonald’s of tricking diners into thinking the McRib sandwich contains premium rib meat when, they claim, it does not.
The Allegations
The complaint, lodged in the Northern District of Illinois, says the name and rib-shaped patty mislead buyers into expecting premium pork rib meat. Instead, the plaintiffs argue, the sandwich is built from:
- Ground pork shoulder
- Pork heart
- Scalded pork stomach
They also note the McRib can cost up to $7.89, making it one of the chain’s priciest single items, while pork rib meat is traditionally viewed as a premium cut.
McDonald’s Response
The company issued a Sunday-night statement pushing back hard:
> “This lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate. Food quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do – that’s why we’re committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu. Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.”
Online, McDonald’s lists the McRib as a “seasoned boneless pork patty” dipped in BBQ sauce.
Legal Scope and Demands
The suit stacks up 16 court claims spanning:
- Fraudulent omission
- Fraudulent misrepresentation
- Negligent misrepresentation
- Breach of contract
- Consumer-protection violations across California, Illinois, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Plaintiffs want:
- Class certification for anyone who bought a McRib in the four years before the filing
- Damages and restitution for class members
- An injunction to halt allegedly deceptive advertising
Limited-Run Buzz Under Scrutiny
First introduced in 1981, the McRib reappears sporadically, fueling what the suit calls “consumer confusion”. The cycle of short-term availability, the plaintiffs argue, “discourages deep consumer scrutiny” and helps the “misconceptions regarding the sandwich’s rib meat content” persist.
The sandwich returned to roughly eight metro areas in mid-November, including Chicago, Miami, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles, though the company has not said how long it will stay.
Key Takeaways
- The Dec. 23 lawsuit centers on whether the name “McRib” falsely implies rib meat content
- McDonald’s insists the sandwich uses 100% pork and calls the suit “inaccurate”
- A potential class action could cover four years of McRib purchases
- The case highlights how limited-time menu items are labeled and marketed
As both sides dig in, the court will decide whether the McRib’s catchy name crosses the line into consumer deception.
