What’s inside a McRib? McDonald’s hit with class action lawsuit claiming sandwich doesn’t contain rib meat

McDonald’s is facing a federal class-action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading customers about the contents of its McRib sandwich. Filed on December 23, 2025, the lawsuit claims the name “McRib” and its rib-shaped patty imply the sandwich contains real rib meat, which the plaintiffs argue is false. The complaint states the McRib is made from restructured pork, utilizing cuts like shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach – none of which are rib meat. The lawsuit asserts claims of fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of consumer protection laws, seeking to represent consumers who purchased the sandwich in the past four years.

McDonald’s responded by stating the lawsuit “distorts the facts” and that the McRib is made with 100% boneless pork, BBQ sauce, onions, and pickles, explicitly denying the inclusion of hearts, tripe, or scalded stomach. The company maintains its commitment to using real, quality ingredients and transparency regarding its menu. In 2014, McDonald’s even used former “MythBusters” host Grant Imahara to demonstrate the patty’s composition, confirming it’s made from ground pork, water, salt, dextrose, and preservatives.

Despite this, the plaintiffs argue the McRib’s popularity and limited availability necessitate clear and accurate product descriptions. They claim McDonald’s intentionally omitted the lack of rib meat, leading customers to pay a premium price based on false pretenses, as the McRib averages $5.63 and can reach $7.89, exceeding the price of a Big Mac. The suit seeks class certification, damages, restitution, and injunctive relief, potentially allowing consumers who purchased the McRib in the last four years to join the lawsuit.

(Source：The Independent)