McDonald’s Faces Lawsuit Over McRib Sandwich Misleading Claims

McDonald’s McRib Class-Action Lawsuit

A federal judge has mandated that McDonald’s must address a class-action lawsuit claiming the McRib sandwich misleads consumers. The suit alleges the name, appearance, and marketing suggest the McRib contains pork rib meat, though it does not.

Details of the Lawsuit

Four customers initiated the lawsuit in December 2025, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint states McDonald’s designs the McRib patty with ridges to mimic a rack of ribs. Yet, according to the plaintiffs, the sandwich contains less expensive pork cuts like shoulder and stomach, not rib meat. McDonald’s lists the patty as containing pork, water, and seasoning without specifying rib meat.

On October 30, Judge April Perry ruled McDonald’s could not dismiss the case at this stage. Perry noted the understanding of ‘McRib’ as containing rib meat is not unreasonable. While some claims were dismissed, deception, fraud, and unjust-enrichment claims remain.

“This lawsuit distorts the facts and the claims are meritless. 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,” McDonald’s USA responded.

McDonald’s Previous Legal Challenges

The Chicken McNugget Burn Case

In a related case, McDonald’s faced a lawsuit from Florida after a girl suffered burns from a hot Chicken McNugget. A jury awarded her $800,000, finding the franchisee negligent in failing to provide adequate warnings.

The Famous Hot-Coffee Case

The hot-coffee case of 1992 involved Stella Liebeck, who sustained severe burns from spilled coffee. In 1994, McDonald’s was found liable, resulting in significant compensatory and punitive damages, which were later reduced and settled confidentially.

Beef Flavoring in French Fries

McDonald’s encountered issues with beef flavoring in fries, sparking lawsuits from vegetarians and religious groups in 2002, leading to a $10 million settlement. The company agreed to improve ingredient transparency and form an advisory panel.

The McRib lawsuit is still unfolding, with no jury verdict or settlement, contrasting with previous cases. The plaintiffs now must demonstrate the McRib’s name and design could sway consumers to believe it includes rib meat.