McRib is back in the spotlight — but this time, it has nothing to do with its now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t status. Instead, the cult-favorite sandwich from McDonald’s is at the center of a new lawsuit accusing the company of misleading customers about what they’re actually getting when they order it.
What’s the Lawsuit All About?
A federal class action lawsuit filed late December last year in the Northern District of Illinois claims McDonald’s has been misleading customers to believe they would get pork rib meat by naming the limited menu item “McRib.”
“McDonald’s knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers, who reasonably (but mistakenly) believe that a product named the “McRib” will include at least some meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat, which commands a premium price on the market,” reads the court filing.
The lawsuit was brought by four customers from different states who say they bought the McRib expecting a juicy rib meat — or a meaningful amount of it, given that the sandwich is literally called the McRib and features a patty molded to resemble a rack of ribs. Instead, the filing claims, the patty is a restructured pork product made from lower-value cuts like pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach (yum?).
Even though the sandwich doesn’t contain rib meat, the lawsuit says it’s often one of the most expensive items on the menu, with prices climbing as high as $7.89 before tax, according to the complaint. The plaintiffs argue that when you combine that price with the McRib’s limited-time hype and rib-shaped patty, it’s easy to see why customers think they’re paying for something more premium than what actually ends up in the wrapper.
What Is a McRib and What’s in It?
The McRib has been popping on and off menus since it first debuted nationally in 1981, the result of McDonald’s looking for a cheaper pork option during a period when chicken prices were rising. The sandwich was never made with actual rib meat, even though the patty was molded to look like a small rack of ribs.
The meat itself is a restructured pork patty, created by grinding and blending lower-cost cuts of pork with water, salt, preservatives, and flavoring agents, then pressing the mixture into that rib-shaped form. It’s finished with barbecue sauce and served on a bun with onions and pickles.
What Does McDonald’s Say About the Lawsuit?
McDonald’s denies the lawsuit’s claims, saying the allegations about the McRib’s ingredients are inaccurate and unfair.
“This lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate. 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,” McDonald’s said in a statement sent to NBC Chicago. “Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.”
Have you had a McRib and been disappointed in the quality? Let us know in the comments below!
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