McDonald’s could be in hot water after a federal class-action lawsuit, accusing the fast food giant of falsely marketing its cult-favourite McRib sandwich, was filed by US-based plaintiffs.
The McDonald’s McRib is a legendary sandwich consisting of: a boneless pork patty, shaped to resemble a miniature rack of ribs, barbecue sauce, onions, and pickles. It’s served on a 14cm homestyle roll, and is absolutely delicious.
Initially knocked off the 1985 menu due to poor sales, the McRib returned to fanfare in 1989, and stayed on the order sheet until 2005 in most countries.
A year later, the fried meal began moonlighting on menus in most markets again. These limited time drops have continued sporadically, and last a few weeks, sending fans wild with want.
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Most recently, the McRib returned to Britain in October 2024, and in the United States in November 2025.
But now McDonald’s faces heat, with plaintiffs believing they’ve been misled by the ‘cultivated sense of anticipation’ surrounding the 520-calorie sandwich’s marketing.
In the class-action lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Chicago on 23 December 2025, it’s alleged that the restaurant chain had ‘engaged in false advertising by marketing its McRib as a rib product when it reportedly does not contain any real rib meat.’
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The suit claimed that the patty was a 'restructured' product made from a mixture of pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach, as reported by the International Business Times.
The four plaintiffs - named: Peter Le of Baldwin Park, California; Charles Lynch of Poughkeepsie, New York; Dorien Baker of Chicago; and Darrick Wilson of Washington, DC - described the McRib’s name as a ‘deliberate sleight of hand’.
“By including the word ‘Rib’ in the name of the sandwich, McDonald's knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers, who reasonably (but mistakenly) believe that a product named the 'McRib' will include at least some meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat, which commands a premium price on the market," the lawsuit read.
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It alleged: "McDonald's does this despite knowing that the sandwich in fact does not contain any meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat — indeed, none at all.”
The suit also claims that if customers weren’t subjected to ‘deceptive labelling and marketing’ they ‘would not otherwise have purchased’ it.
McDonald's is accused of fraudulent omission or concealment, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and other counts in the suit.
It demanded an order ‘enjoining McDonald's to desist from further deceptive naming, marketing and advertising practices with respect to the McRib and such other injunctive relief that the Court deems just and proper,’ as per CBS News.
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Lawyers are also demanding awards for the four plaintiffs who have been ‘duped’ into purchasing the product.
In response to the lawsuit, McDonald’s USA has claimed it ‘distorts facts’ and that many of the claims listed 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,” a spokesperson said.
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“Our fan-favourite McRib sandwich is made with 100 percent 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.”
McDonald's refuted claims that it uses pork hearts, tripe, and/or scalded stomach in the McRib patty.
A spokesperson confirmed such items are not allowed in any of its pork products.
The company added that the McRib has a base of 100 percent seasoned boneless pork.
Ella Scott