Key Takeaways
- McDonald’s is facing a class action lawsuit over claims that the company misled customers by advertising the McRib as a rib meat sandwich when its patty allegedly comes from other pork cuts.
- The lawsuit alleges that the McRib patty is made from ground-up portions of lower-grade pork products, such as pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach.
- McDonald’s denies the claims, stating that the McRib is made with 100% pork sourced from U.S. farmers.
- The lawsuit is seeking damages, attorneys’ fees, and interest for class members, as well as an order for McDonald’s to stop deceptive naming, marketing, and advertising practices.
Introduction to the Lawsuit
McDonald’s is facing a class action lawsuit over claims that the company misled customers by advertising the McRib as a rib meat sandwich when its patty allegedly comes from other pork cuts. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of four plaintiffs, alleges that the company has used ground-up portions of lower-grade pork products, such as pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach, to make the meat patty. McDonald’s has denied the claims, stating that the McRib is made with 100% pork sourced from U.S. farmers.
The McRib’s Ingredients
According to McDonald’s, the McRib is made of seasoned, boneless pork, dipped into tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, and served on a toasted homestyle bun. However, the lawsuit claims that the patty does not contain any actual pork rib meat, despite its name and distinctive shape, which is designed to resemble a rack of pork ribs. The lawyers argue that this is a deliberate attempt to mislead customers into thinking they are getting a premium product when, in fact, they are not.
McDonald’s Response
McDonald’s has pushed back against the claims, stating that the lawsuit "distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate." The company has emphasized its commitment to using real, quality ingredients across its entire menu, including the McRib. McDonald’s has also pointed out that customers can always find out what’s in their food via the company’s website, app, or kiosks inside the restaurants.
Consumer Surveys
The lawsuit includes the results of two consumer surveys, which found that people care what kind of meat is in their McRib sandwich. In the first survey, 72% of respondents said they expected the McRib to include rib meat. In the second survey, 67% of respondents said that the McRib containing rib meat was either "important" or "very important" in deciding whether they’d buy the sandwich. These results suggest that customers are being misled by McDonald’s advertising and are expecting a product that they are not getting.
The History of the McRib
The McRib was first introduced by McDonald’s in 1981, but it was pulled from the menu in 1985 due to poor sales. It made a return from 1989 to 2004 and then went on a "farewell tour" from 2005 to 2007, only to be brought back in 2020 and again in 2024-2025 with regional limited-time returns in major U.S. cities. The sandwich typically costs between $3.99 and $7.99, according to fan website mcriblocator.com.
Conclusion
The lawsuit against McDonald’s over the McRib is a significant issue for the company, as it raises questions about the transparency and accuracy of its advertising. While McDonald’s has denied the claims, the lawsuit has highlighted the importance of clear and honest labeling of food products. The outcome of the lawsuit will be closely watched by consumers and the food industry, as it has the potential to set a precedent for how companies market and advertise their products.