> At a Glance
> – Four consumers sue McDonald’s, alleging the McRib contains no rib meat
> – Plaintiffs say the patty is made from pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and stomach
> – McDonald’s denies the claims, insists it uses “100% pork”
> – Why it matters: Shoppers may have paid premium prices for what they thought was higher-quality rib meat
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed Dec. 23 in Illinois federal court argues that McDonald’s McRib sandwich is falsely advertised as containing real pork rib meat.
The Allegation
Dorien Baker, Peter Le, Charles Lynch, and Derrick Wilson-from California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.-claim the name, shape, and pricing lead buyers to expect actual rib meat. Instead, they allege the sandwich uses “restructured” pork from lower-value cuts like shoulder, heart, stomach, and tripe.
The complaint cites USDA pricing data showing rib meat commands a market premium and accuses McDonald’s of profiting from that perception while charging up to $7.89 per sandwich.
McDonald’s Response
A McDonald’s USA spokesperson told News Of Los Angeles:
> “Food quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do… Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S.”
The company labels the lawsuit’s claims “inaccurate” and says ingredient transparency has “always” been available.
Marketing Tactics Under Fire
Introduced in 1981 and offered only periodically, the McRib is heavily promoted as a limited-time item. The suit argues this strategy creates urgency and discourages scrutiny, resulting in “millions of dollars in consumer harm.”
Each plaintiff says they would have skipped the purchase-or paid less-had they known no rib meat was present.
What the Plaintiffs Want
- Class-action status for recent U.S. purchasers
- Compensatory damages and restitution
- Injunctive relief to halt allegedly deceptive marketing
| Legal Claim | Alleged Violation |
|---|---|
| Fraudulent omission | Failure to disclose true meat content |
| Misrepresentation | Name and shape imply rib meat |
| Breach of warranty | Product not as advertised |
| Unjust enrichment | Kept premium profits |
Key Takeaways
- The lawsuit centers on whether “McRib” literally means rib meat
- McDonald’s maintains the sandwich uses quality pork shoulder
- A court will decide if reasonable consumers were misled
- Potential nationwide impact if class certification is granted
The case could reshape how brands name and market limited-time food items.
