McDonald’sstates a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that it deceived millions by promoting theMcRibas genuine pork rib “misrepresents the truth.”
The 45-page complaint, submitted on December 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Peter Le, Charles Lynch, Dorien Baker, and Derrick Wilson, challenges the product’s name and marketing, particularly the term“McRib”and its rib-shaped patty, which they claim would make a typical customer think the sandwich contains actual rib meat, even though it does not.
As stated in the lawsuit, the McRib is composed of reconstituted pork, which includes parts like the shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach, none of which are considered true rib meat.
The legal action includes 16 allegations, among othersfraud, violation of warranty, breach of contract, and violations of state consumer protection laws. It aims to represent a nationwide class of consumers who bought a McRib in the last four years, as well as state-specific groups in California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.
Launched across the country in 1982, the McRib has become one of McDonald’s most well-known seasonal offerings, appearing and disappearing from menus in the U.S. and internationally. Its restricted availability has only increased the excitement, with loyal customers keeping a close eye on when and where it comes back.
A McDonald’s spokesperson told The Independent that the McRib features 100 percent boneless pork along with BBQ sauce, onions, and pickles, and that it does not contain any hearts, tripe, or scalded stomach.
“This legal action misrepresents the facts, and several of the claims are not accurate. The quality and safety of our food are fundamental to all we do – that’s why we are dedicated to using genuine, high-quality ingredients throughout our menu,” the representative stated.
“Our popular McRib sandwich is crafted using 100 percent pork obtained from farmers and suppliers throughout the United States. We have consistently been open about our ingredients, allowing customers to make informed decisions,” the statement ended.
In 2014, McDonald’s brought on board Grant Imahara, the former host of “MythBusters,” to visit a production plant and debunk rumors regarding the McRib, highlighting that the patty consists of ground pork, water, salt, dextrose, and preservatives, not plastic or organ meats.
Nevertheless, the ongoing lawsuit claims that this popularity highlights the importance of clear and accurate product descriptions, as consumers might be less likely to review ingredient details during short promotional periods.
Plaintiffs claim that McDonald’s deliberately left out this information from its advertisements and menu items, leading customers to pay extra based on false assumptions.
According to McRib LocatorThe data referenced in the lawsuit shows that the McRib is more expensive than several main menu items, with an average cost of $5.63 in December 2024 and peaking at $7.89 in certain locations, exceeding the typical price of a Big Mac during that time.
The lawsuit claims that McDonald’s was aware or should have been aware that the sandwich’s branding and design could confuse customers, and that the company did not reveal the lack of rib meat even though they had full information about the product’s contents.
Individuals who purchased McRib sandwiches across the country in the last four years are requesting class action certification and are seeking compensation, refunds, and a court order to stop the alleged wrongdoing.
If the court approves the class action, individuals who purchased the McRib during that time might be eligible to participate in the lawsuit.
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