The limited-edition fast-food favorite, the McRib, is facing a class-action lawsuit that accuses McDonald’s of fundamentally misrepresenting the sandwich’s contents, as per BroBible. Four unhappy consumers listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Illinois claim they were misled about what they were actually eating. This legal action, which was entered into the record on December 23, asserts the McRib simply doesn’t contain any actual pork rib meat at all.
For fast food diehards, the return of the McRib is a huge event, but if the plaintiffs are correct, this cult favorite should really be called the “McRestructured Pork Patty.” The filing argues that instead of premium rib meat, the patty is fashioned into its signature rack shape using “lower-grade pork products such as … pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach.”
Honestly, I feel like most people who order this sandwich are aware they are not getting the most premium cuts of pork, but apparently, these consumers felt deceived enough to take the chain to court. They are accusing McDonald’s of engaging in “deceptive naming, marketing and advertising practices.” The lawsuit is seeking compensatory damages, restitution, and injunctive relief, meaning they want the company to stop the alleged deception.
McDonald’s is pushing back hard against these claims
The company issued a statement to defend its product, emphasizing its commitment to quality and transparency. “We’re committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu,” the company stated. “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.”
If you’re curious about exactly what’s in the patty, McDonald’s website lists the ingredients as “pork, water, salt, dextrose, [and] rosemary extract.” While this list confirms the use of 100% pork, it doesn’t specify which cuts are being harnessed.
The McRib has a long, tumultuous history. McDonald’s first introduced the offering back in 1981, featuring that unique pork patty slathered in barbecue sauce and topped with pickles and onions. It had a short four-year run in the United States before it was discontinued. Since then, however, the chain has repeatedly resurrected the sandwich.
McDonald’s has historically taken advantage of low pork prices to revive the McRib, often hyping its return with multiple marketing campaigns that assert it’s set to disappear for good before the whole cycle begins anew. This cyclical nature has given the sandwich a devoted following, to the point where there’s an entire website devoted to keeping tabs on its status and predicting its next appearance.
The availability has been spotty lately, too. It was only offered on a regional basis in 2025, following a nationwide rollout ahead of the holiday season in 2024. There’s truly no telling when people across America will be able to get their next fix, but regardless of its limited-edition status, it’s certainly still managing to make headlines, without being a free food from McDonald’s.
Now, we’ll just have to wait and see if a judge thinks there’s any legal merit to the claim that the McRib’s name is a fundamental lie.
Published: Jan 7, 2026 01:00 pm