At a Glance
- McDonald’s faces lawsuit alleging McRib misleads consumers about pork content.
- Plaintiffs claim sandwich made from ground pork shoulder, heart, scalded stomach, not rib meat.
- McDonald’s says it uses 100% U.S. pork and is transparent about ingredients.
- Why it matters: Consumers could be misled about what they’re buying and face potential consumer protection violations.
In a lawsuit filed last month, four Chicago residents accuse McDonald’s of deceptive marketing, arguing that the fast-food chain’s flagship McRib sandwich is not made from pork rib meat as its name suggests. The suit, filed in the Northern District of Illinois, seeks damages and a halt to what the plaintiffs call misleading advertising.
The Allegations
The plaintiffs contend that the McRib is assembled from ground pork shoulder, heart and scalded stomach, rather than actual rib meat, and that the sandwich’s name creates a false impression. They cite 16 legal claims, including fraudulent omission, misrepresentation, breach of contract and violations of consumer protection laws in California, Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C.
- Fraudulent omission or concealment
- Fraudulent misrepresentation
- Negligent misrepresentation
- Breach of contract
- Violation of state consumer protection laws
McDonald’s Response
McDonald’s denied the allegations, stating that the McRib is made with 100% pork sourced from U.S. farmers and that the company has always been transparent about its ingredients.
McDonald’s spokesperson
> “This lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims 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. Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% 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.”
Timing and Availability
The suit notes that the McRib‘s sporadic, limited-time availability fuels consumer confusion, as the sandwich returns only briefly in select cities such as Chicago, Miami, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle and Los Angeles.
| City | Availability Status |
|---|---|
| Chicago | Limited-time |
| Miami | Limited-time |
| Dallas | Limited-time |
| St. Louis | Limited-time |
| Atlanta | Limited-time |
| Seattle | Limited-time |
| Los Angeles | Limited-time |
Key Takeaways
- Plaintiffs allege the McRib lacks rib meat and is made from ground pork parts.
- The lawsuit includes 16 claims and seeks damages, restitution and injunctive relief.
- McDonald’s maintains the sandwich uses 100% U.S. pork and emphasizes ingredient transparency.
The lawsuit underscores the importance of accurate advertising and consumer trust, as McDonald’s seeks to defend its marketing practices amid growing scrutiny over product labeling.
