Judge allows lawsuit over claims McDonald’s McRib name and marketing may mislead customers

McDonald’s has taken a legal hit after a federal judge said the company must face a class-action lawsuit accusing it of misleading customers about what is in its McRib sandwich.

U.S. District Judge April Perry declined to throw out the case in full, keeping several claims alive over allegations that the sandwich’s name, unusual shape and marketing give consumers the false impression that it contains real pork rib meat.

The McRib dispute

The complaint, brought by four customers in the Northern District of Illinois, says McDonald’s intentionally shaped the pork patty with ridges that resemble a rack of ribs, creating a deceptive impression about the sandwich’s ingredients.

“Despite its name and distinctive shape — its meat patty has been deliberately crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs — the McRib does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all,” the lawsuit says.

The plaintiffs contend McDonald’s uses less expensive pork items instead, including “inter alia, pork shoulder, heart, tripe and scalded stomach,” while selling the sandwich at a premium price to customers who believed they were buying rib meat.

McDonald’s ingredient listing names pork, water, salt, dextrose and rosemary extract. The company’s website describes the sandwich as made with “seasoned boneless pork,” but does not specifically say it includes rib meat.

Claims of consumer deception

Perry said the plaintiffs’ reading of the sandwich’s name was plausible enough for the case to move ahead.

“Plaintiffs’ proffered understanding of ‘McRib’ is not unreasonable or fanciful,” Perry wrote.

While she dismissed some allegations, the judge allowed claims involving consumer deception, fraud and unjust enrichment to proceed.

The ruling does not mean McDonald’s is liable; the plaintiffs still have to prove their case.

McDonald’s denies wrongdoing

McDonald’s rejected the accusations, saying the sandwich is made with quality pork and denying the use of organ meats.

“This lawsuit distorts the facts and the claims are meritless. 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,” McDonald’s USA told Newsweek.

“Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100 percent pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. — there are no hearts, tripe or scalded stomach used in the McRib patty as falsely alleged in this lawsuit. We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.”

Another entry in McDonald’s legal history

The case adds to McDonald’s long record of food-related lawsuits.

In 2023, a Florida jury awarded $800,000 to a girl who was burned by a hot Chicken McNugget in 2019.

Jurors found that McDonald’s USA failed to provide adequate warnings, though they did not find the company negligent.