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By Gabe Whisnant
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McDonald’s is pushing back against allegations in a class action lawsuit that its iconic McRib misleads customers about its contents.
The class-action complaint, filed December 23, 2025, in Illinois, claims McDonald’s markets the McRib in a way that deceives consumers, alleging the sandwich contains ground pork from lower-quality cuts rather than actual rib meat. The plaintiffs argue the name and rib-like shape mislead buyers, especially since the McRib is among the priciest menu items.
“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 class action lawsuit says.
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McDonald’s pushed back against a lawsuit alleging its McRib sandwich misleads customers about its ingredients, calling the claims inaccurate.
“This lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate,” McDonald’s USA said in a statement to Newsweek. “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. 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.”
The company said the McRib patty does not contain hearts, tripe or scalded stomach, which are prohibited in all its pork products. It described the sandwich as seasoned boneless pork dipped in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with onions and pickles, and served on a toasted bun. McDonald’s added to Newsweek that ingredient details for all menu items are available on its website, app and in-restaurant kiosks as part of its commitment to transparency.
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What McDonald's Customers Should Know
The lawsuit was filed Dec. 23 in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Plaintiffs Peter Le of Baldwin Park, California; Charles Lynch of Poughkeepsie, New York; Dorien Baker of Chicago; and Darrick Wilson of Washington, D.C., are seeking class-action status. The plaintiffs aim to represent a nationwide class of consumers who bought a McRib sandwich from McDonald’s within the past four years. They also seek to form subclasses for customers in California, New York, Illinois and Washington, D.C.
If the lawsuit succeeds, customers who purchased a McRib in the past four years could be eligible for damages, restitution, and injunctive relief to prevent future deceptive practices, according to the filing.
The 520-calorie McRib sandwich typically costs between $4.49 and $5.99, with most locations pricing it around $4.49. For those opting for a full meal, the McRib combo—which includes the sandwich, medium fries, and a medium drink—usually ranges from $8.99 to $10.99, depending on the region and franchise.
The McRib has earned cult status largely because of its elusive nature. First introduced in 1981, the sandwich struggled initially but later became a marketing phenomenon thanks to its limited-time availability. McDonald’s typically brings the McRib back for short seasonal runs, often in the fall and winter, creating a sense of urgency and excitement among fans.
Updates: 1/5/26, 1:57 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 1/5/26, 4:11 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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