A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against McDonald’s, accusing the fast-food giant of misleading consumers about the true contents of its popular McRib sandwich. The legal action, brought by four individuals in Illinois, questions whether the product name and appearance misrepresent what the sandwich actually contains.
The McRib has long enjoyed a cult following, partly due to its limited-time availability and distinctive rib-shaped patty. But now, its name and presentation are under legal scrutiny, with plaintiffs alleging a mismatch between consumer expectations and the sandwich’s actual ingredients.
Legal Challenge Focuses on Product Name and Appearance
The complaint, filed on December 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that McDonald’s engaged in deceptive marketing by naming the product “McRib” and shaping its pork patty to resemble a rack of ribs. According to the lawsuit, these features lead a “reasonable consumer” to believe the sandwich contains actual rib meat, when it does not.
Instead, the plaintiffs argue the patty is made from “restructured pork,” comprising various cuts such as shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach. According to the complaint, none of these qualify as rib meat, yet the product’s branding does not clarify this point. The suit further claims that McDonald’s failed to disclose this information in its advertising and menu descriptions, potentially misleading millions of customers.
“By including the word ‘Rib’ in the name of the McRib, as well as by going out of its way to shape the sandwich’s patty into the shape of a pork rib, McDonald’s knows or should know that consumers are so misled,” the plaintiffs stated, according to the class action summary.
The 45-page filing includes 16 legal claims, including fraud, breach of warranty, contract violations, and consumer protection law breaches. The plaintiffs are seeking to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased a McRib over the past four years, with additional state-specific claims in California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.
McDonald’s Defends Product Integrity, Denies Claims
In response, McDonald’s rejected the allegations, stating that the lawsuit distorts facts and misrepresents the composition of the sandwich. A spokesperson for the company told The Independent that the McRib “uses 100 percent boneless pork with BBQ sauce, onions, and pickles,” denying the inclusion of offal or stomach components.
“Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100 percent pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S.,” the company said in its official statement. “We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.”
In 2014, McDonald’s addressed similar rumors when it invited former “MythBusters” host Grant Imahara to visit a production facility. According to that effort, the McRib patty is made from ground pork, water, salt, dextrose, and preservatives, intended to debunk claims of artificial or low-grade ingredients.
The plaintiffs argue that regardless of ingredient sourcing, the sandwich’s branding and appearance remain misleading, particularly when paired with its pricing. According to McRib Locator data cited in the lawsuit, the sandwich averaged $5.63 in December 2024, with some locations charging as much as $7.89, higher than the average price of a Big Mac. If the court certifies the class, millions of McRib buyers may become eligible to join the lawsuit and seek restitution or damages.
