McDonald’s sued in class action over claims of misrepresenting McRib meat

Fast-food chain McDonald’s is facing a class action lawsuit that alleges the company has been deceptive in marketing its popular McRib sandwich to customers. The McRib, a limited-time offering that has garnered a loyal following over the years, has been the subject of controversy due to claims that it does not contain actual pork rib meat as some consumers may believe.

Introduced to the McDonald’s menu in 1981, the McRib has been a periodic offering, making appearances and disappearances throughout the years. Described on McDonald’s website as “BBQ pork sandwich perfection,” the McRib consists of pickles and onions on a hoagie roll coated in BBQ sauce. Despite its appearance resembling a rack of ribs, the patty is boneless, which has led to speculations and accusations of misleading advertising.

The lawsuit, filed in Illinois federal court, alleges that customers have been misled into believing that the McRib contains premium pork cuts like spare or baby back ribs. By shaping the sandwich to resemble a cooked rack of pork ribs, McDonald’s has been accused of intentionally deceiving consumers into thinking that there is at least some actual pork rib meat in the sandwich.

McDonald’s has defended the McRib, stating that it is made with a base of 100% seasoned boneless pork. The ingredients for the McRib Pork Patty, listed on the company’s website, include “Pork, Water, Salt, Dextrose, Rosemary Extract.” McDonald’s has maintained that they are committed to using real, quality ingredients and have always been transparent about the contents of their menu items.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including individuals from California, New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., claim they would not have purchased the McRib or would have only done so at a reduced price had they known the truth about the sandwich. The price of the McRib varies depending on location but typically ranges between $3.99 and $7.99, as reported by the McRib Locator, a fan site dedicated to tracking the sandwich’s availability nationwide.

In recent years, McDonald’s has played with the limited-time availability of the McRib, announcing discontinuations followed by nostalgic merchandise releases before re-releasing the sandwich back onto the menu. The most recent run of the McRib began in November 2025, following its supposed discontinuation in 2022.

As the class action lawsuit unfolds, the controversy surrounding the representation of the McRib’s meat content continues to raise questions about truth in advertising and consumer expectations when it comes to fast food offerings. McDonald’s remains adamant in its defense of the sandwich, emphasizing its commitment to using quality ingredients and transparency in its menu offerings.