McDonald's sued over McRib's lack of real rib meat

McDonald’s Faces Legal Challenge Over McRib Marketing

McDonald’s has responded to a federal class-action lawsuit that claims the fast-food giant misled consumers by marketing the McRib as a real pork rib. The company argues that the lawsuit "distorts the facts" and misrepresents the product's ingredients.

The 45-page complaint, filed on December 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, was brought by Peter Le, Charles Lynch, Dorien Baker, and Derrick Wilson. The plaintiffs argue that the name "McRib" and the shape of the patty lead reasonable consumers to believe the sandwich contains actual rib meat, which is not the case.

According to the lawsuit, the McRib is made from restructured pork, combining cuts such as shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach—none of which qualify as rib meat. This has led to allegations of fraud, breach of warranty, contract violations, and violations of state consumer protection laws. The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased a McRib in the past four years, along with state-specific subclasses in California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.

A Recognizable Limited-Time Item

Since its introduction in 1982, the McRib has become one of McDonald’s most recognizable limited-time menu items. It regularly appears and disappears from menus across the U.S. and internationally, creating a sense of exclusivity and excitement among fans. This limited availability has only increased the hype surrounding the sandwich, with loyal customers closely tracking when and where it returns.

A McDonald’s spokesperson told The Independent that the McRib uses 100% boneless pork with BBQ sauce, onions, and pickles, and that no hearts, tripe, or scalded stomach are included. The statement emphasized that the company maintains high standards for food quality and safety, using real, quality ingredients across its 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,” the spokesperson added.

Debunking Myths About the McRib

In 2014, McDonald’s hired former “MythBusters” host Grant Imahara to tour a processing facility and address concerns about the McRib. The video showed that the patty is made from ground pork, water, salt, dextrose, and preservatives—not plastic or organ meats. However, the current lawsuit argues that this popularity makes clear and accurate product descriptions even more important, as customers may be less likely to check ingredient details during brief promotional runs.

Plaintiffs claim that McDonald’s intentionally omitted the fact that the McRib does not contain rib meat from advertising and menu materials, leading customers to pay a premium price under false pretenses.

Pricing and Consumer Perception

According to McRib Locator data cited in the lawsuit, the McRib costs more than many core menu items. In December 2024, the average price was $5.63, with some locations charging as much as $7.89—higher than the average price of a Big Mac during the same period.

The suit claims that McDonald’s knew or should have known that consumers would be misled by the sandwich’s branding and shape. It further alleges that the company failed to disclose the absence of rib meat despite having exclusive knowledge of the product’s composition.

What’s Next?

Plaintiffs are seeking class certification for McRib buyers nationwide over the past four years and are asking for damages, restitution, and injunctive relief. If the court certifies the class, consumers who bought the McRib during that period may be eligible to join the lawsuit.

This legal challenge highlights the ongoing debate around food labeling and consumer expectations. As the case progresses, it could set a precedent for how fast-food companies market their products and what information they must disclose to customers.