Judge denies McDonald’s motion to dismiss class action over McRib labeling
A Chicago federal judge rejected McDonald’s request to throw out a class-action suit alleging the chain misled consumers by naming its sandwich “McRib” despite containing no pork rib meat.
A U.S. District Judge in Chicago denied McDonald’s bid to dismiss a class-action lawsuit that claims the fast-food chain’s McRib sandwich is marketed deceptively. The suit, filed on Dec. 23, 2025, alleges that McDonald’s promotes the product as containing pork rib meat, while the patty is made from boneless pork and other lower-grade cuts.
"Plaintiffs’ proffered understanding of ‘McRib’ is not unreasonable or fanciful," Judge April Perry wrote, noting that the sandwich’s rib-shaped patty and advertising could support a claim of intent to defraud, though further evidence is required.
The complaint, brought by four consumers from California, New York, Illinois and Washington, D.C., asserts that the name “McRib” deliberately misleads shoppers into believing the sandwich includes actual rib meat, a premium pork cut. It seeks class certification for anyone who purchased the sandwich in the past four years, an injunction against the naming and marketing practices, and monetary damages.
McDonald’s responded that the McRib contains seasoned boneless pork, onions, pickles and BBQ sauce, and that it does not use hearts, tripe or stomach in the product. In a statement to Reuters, the company said the lawsuit “distorts the facts and the claims are meritless.”
Plaintiff attorney Thiago Coelho said the case will continue to pursue accountability for what he described as deceptive marketing that drives sales of the sandwich.