Judge Allows McDonald’s McRib Deception Lawsuit to Proceed

The class action lawsuit over McDonald’s McRib is moving ahead after a federal judge said the fast-food company must answer claims that it misled customers about the sandwich.

U.S. District Judge April Perry in Chicago decided that it was too soon to rule that a reasonable consumer would not expect the McRib to contain pork rib meat based on its name and appearance, Reuters reported. While she tossed out some claims, she allowed the main deceptive-marketing allegations to continue.

The case centers on a basic question: does the McRib actually contain rib meat?

The plaintiffs say it does not. They argue that McDonald’s relied on the sandwich’s name, its rib-like shape, and its marketing to suggest that customers were buying a product made with real pork rib meat.

McDonald’s denies any wrongdoing and says the suit has no merit.

What the McRib Lawsuit Claims

The proposed class action was filed by consumers who say they bought McRibs because they believed the sandwich contained pork rib meat.

According to the plaintiffs, the McRib is instead made from restructured pork that includes cuts such as pork shoulder. The original complaint also alleged that the product could contain heart, tripe, and scalded stomach. They contend the name and distinctive rib-shaped design reinforce the impression that the sandwich contains actual rib meat.

The lawsuit also argues that the McRib’s limited availability and relatively high price added to the alleged deception, because customers were led to think they were purchasing a premium pork product.

Those are allegations, however, and the court has not established them as facts.

How the Judge Ruled

Perry’s decision does not mean McDonald’s has been found liable for deceptive marketing. Instead, she concluded that the plaintiffs’ central theory was plausible enough for the case to continue at this stage.

Reuters reported that Perry rejected the argument that consumers should be expected to investigate the McRib’s ingredients before buying a fast-food sandwich. She also said the rib-like shape shown in advertising could support the claim that McDonald’s intended to create a specific impression about the product.

As a result, the lawsuit has cleared an important early test, but the plaintiffs still must prove their claims.

McDonald’s Response

McDonald’s has strongly disputed the allegations.

The company says the McRib is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers in the United States, and it specifically denies claims that the patty contains hearts, tripe, or scalded stomach.

McDonald’s has also said it has been open about the sandwich’s ingredients and described the lawsuit as baseless.

What Comes Next

The ruling allows the core allegations to move forward, but the case remains far from any final outcome such as damages or other relief for McRib customers.

The plaintiffs are seeking class-action certification, which would require them to show that the lawsuit can represent a broader group of consumers who bought the sandwich under similar conditions.

For now, McDonald’s must keep defending itself in court. And for a sandwich that has built a devoted following over the years each time it returns to the menu, the McRib is now drawing attention for a very different reason.