Lawsuit Claims McDonald’s McRib Is Misleading Because It Contains No Rib Meat

A lawsuit filed in federal court is accusing Chicago-based McDonald’s of deceptive marketing over its popular McRib sandwich, claiming the product’s name falsely implies it contains rib meat when it does not.

The lawsuit was filed December 23 in U.S. District Court in Chicago by four plaintiffs from California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., who are seeking class-action status. The complaint argues that McDonald’s knowingly misleads customers through the sandwich’s name, marketing, and rib-like shape.

According to the lawsuit, McDonald’s has built anticipation around the McRib by offering it only during limited-time promotions. While the sandwich is a longtime fan favorite, the plaintiffs claim consumers reasonably believe they are eating pork rib meat based on the name “McRib” and the appearance of the patty.

The lawsuit alleges the meat is instead a restructured pork product made from lower-grade cuts, not actual rib meat such as spareribs or baby back ribs. It further claims those premium rib cuts are more valuable, yet the McRib remains one of the more expensive single items on McDonald’s menu.

Plaintiffs argue that had consumers known the sandwich contained no rib meat, they may not have purchased it or would have paid less. The lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and deceptive marketing practices, and seeks damages as well as an order requiring the company to stop using what it calls misleading naming and advertising.

McDonald’s USA strongly disputes the claims. In a statement, the company said the lawsuit distorts the facts and emphasized that food quality and transparency are priorities. McDonald’s says the McRib is made with 100% seasoned boneless pork sourced from U.S. suppliers and does not contain pork hearts, tripe, or stomach, which the company says are not permitted in any of its pork products.

The McRib first appeared on McDonald’s menus in 1981 and was later pulled, only to return periodically as a limited-time offering. Over the years, it has developed a cult following and was expanded nationwide in 2020.

The lawsuit is pending, and McDonald’s has not indicated whether it plans to seek dismissal.

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