What is the controversy surrounding the McRib?
McDonald’s has released a statement after a class-action lawsuit that claims the company misled consumers regarding its McRib sandwich, which allegedly “does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all.”
The lawsuit, filed on December 23 in the Northern District of Illinois by four plaintiffs, claims that McDonald’s “knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable customers.” The plaintiffs state that the McRib is actually made from ground-up portions of lower-quality pork, which includes pork shoulder, heart, and scalded stomach, rather than rib cuts.
Claims About Price and Misrepresentation
As per the complaint, the McRib is “among the most expensive individual item” on McDonald’s menus, priced up to $7.89 at specific locations. The suit cites that pork rib meat is traditionally regarded as a premium cut, while lower-grade portions are less valuable. It further claims:
“The name ‘McRib’ is a deliberate sleight of hand. McDonald’s willfully, falsely, and knowingly omitted various material facts regarding the quality and character of the McRib namely, that despite its name and distinctive rib-like shape, it does not actually contain any actual pork rib meat. McDonald’s knew these facts would be material to reasonable consumers but still chose not to disclose them.”
McDonald’s Response
In response, McDonald’s told NBC Chicago:
“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.”
According to the McDonald’s website, the McRib has “seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun,” with the meat sate as a “pork patty.”
What legal claims are included in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit has 16 legal claims, like fraudulent omission or concealment, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, breach of contract, and violations of state consumer protection laws across California, Illinois, New York, and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs are pursuing class certification, damages, restitution, and an injunction to prevent further alleged deceptive advertising.
History and Limited Availability
Established in 1981, the McRib has returned intermittently, which the lawsuit asserts “creates a sense of urgency that discourages deep consumer scrutiny and deters sustained discussion or scrutiny into its actual ingredients, which further bolsters the longevity of consumer misconceptions regarding the sandwiches’ rib meat content.”
In mid-November 2025, the sandwich returned to certain locations in Chicago, Miami, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles for a restricted time, though its duration on menus continues to be unclear.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the McRib lawsuit about?
The lawsuit claims that McDonald’s misled customers regarding the ingredients in the McRib sandwich. Plaintiffs assert that it does not have actual pork rib meat.
Q2. Who filed the lawsuit?
Four people filed the class-action complaint in the Northern District of Illinois. They asserted that McDonald’s promotion deceived reasonable customers.