Four U.S. consumers filed a proposed class action in the Northern District of Illinois alleging McDonald’s misrepresents its McRib sandwich as containing pork rib meat. The Dec. 23 complaint claims the product is a restructured pork item made from shoulder and, allegedly, organ parts rather than actual rib cuts, and cites USDA pricing to argue ribs are a premium product. McDonald’s denies the allegations, calling the complaint inaccurate, and the plaintiffs seek damages, restitution and injunctive relief.
McDonald's Hit With Class Action Over McRib — Plaintiffs Say Sandwich Contains No Rib Meat
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/GettyPhoto of a McDonalds' McRib sandwich.
McDonald’s is facing a proposed class action in federal court after four consumers alleged the fast-food chain has long misled customers about the composition of its limited‑time McRib sandwich. The complaint, filed Dec. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, contends that the name, price and rib‑shaped patty lead reasonable buyers to expect actual rib meat when, plaintiffs say, the product contains restructured pork from lower‑grade cuts and organ parts.
McDonald'sRetroCommercial.com, McDonald's McRib Commercial, YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OKhkMnn8nQ at 0:08 (last visited May 6, 2025).
What the Complaint Alleges
The suit, brought by Dorien Baker, Peter Le, Charles Lynch and Derrick Wilson of California, New York, Illinois and Washington, D.C., argues the McRib’s branding and molded shape falsely suggest a premium pork rib product. According to the filing, the sandwich is produced as a “restructured” pork item made from cuts such as pork shoulder and — the complaint alleges — organ components including heart, stomach and tripe rather than bona fide rib meat.
McDonald'sMcDonald's McRib
“The name ‘McRib’ is a deliberate sleight of hand,” the plaintiffs state in the complaint, arguing consumers are misled into paying premium prices for what they believe is rib meat.
Pricing, Perception and Evidence Cited
The plaintiffs cite the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Daily Pork Report to show that rib cuts (for example, baby back and spare ribs) are treated as premium items and typically command higher retail prices. The complaint notes the McRib has sold at some locations for as much as $7.89, alleging McDonald’s benefits from the perception of a higher‑quality cut while offering a different product.
McDonald’sMcDonald's McRib advertisement.
McDonald’s Response
McDonald’s USA strongly denies the allegations. In a statement to PEOPLE the company said the claims are inaccurate and “distort the facts.” McDonald’s reiterated that the McRib is made with “100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S.” and emphasized its commitment to food quality and transparency about ingredients.
“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,” the statement reads.
Legal Claims and Stakes
The proposed class action seeks status on behalf of U.S. consumers who purchased the McRib in recent years and asserts causes of action including fraudulent omission, misrepresentation, breach of warranty and unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs request compensatory damages, restitution and injunctive relief to stop what they describe as ongoing deceptive marketing practices.
Background: The McRib
The McRib has returned periodically to McDonald’s menus since 1981 and is often promoted as a limited‑time offering — a marketing approach the plaintiffs say can discourage close scrutiny of ingredients by creating urgency around the purchase.
What Happens Next
The case is in its early stages. If the court grants class‑action status, the suit could proceed on behalf of a broad group of purchasers. Both the legal process and any factual determinations about the sandwich’s composition will play out in court and through discovery.
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