McDonald's Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over McRib's Pork Content

A federal class-action lawsuit filed on December 23, 2025, in the Northern District of Illinois alleges that McDonald's misled consumers by marketing its McRib sandwich as containing actual pork rib meat. The plaintiffs claim the sandwich is made from restructured pork, including cuts such as shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach, none of which are rib meat.

The lawsuit, brought by four individuals, lists 16 claims, including fraudulent misrepresentation and violations of state consumer protection laws in California, Illinois, New York, and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs seek class certification for anyone who purchased a McRib in the four years prior to the filing, as well as damages and injunctive relief to prevent further deceptive advertising practices.

McDonald's responded to the allegations, stating:

"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. 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 McRib, first introduced in 1981, has been a limited-time offering, with its periodic availability contributing to consumer anticipation. The lawsuit argues that this marketing strategy compounds consumer confusion regarding the sandwich's contents.