McDonald’s Corp. is facing a federal class-action lawsuit alleging the company misled consumers about the composition of its McRib sandwich. The complaint, which was lodged on December 23, 2025, at the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, the complaint alleges that the sandwich’s name and marketing falsely imply it is made from real pork rib meat.
Class-Action Lawsuit Challenges McDonald’s McRib Marketing
The case, brought against McDonald’s by the plaintiffs Peter Le, Charles Lynch, Dorien Baker, and Derrick Wilson, seeks class certification for all McRib purchasers nationwide during the last four years.
According to the 45-page complaint, McDonald’s allegedly misleads consumers through the McRib’s name and rib-shaped patty, suggesting the sandwich contains pork rib meat, a higher-value cut.
The suit claims consumers expect rib meat in the sandwich, but the brand allegedly uses lower-grade pork products, such as meat from the shoulder or heart.
According to the plaintiffs, marketing and limited availability of the sandwich are a source of confusion to consumers, causing them to buy the sandwich without proper examination of the ingredients list. The grievance enumerates claims, such as fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and breach of state consumer protection laws.
In response, McDonald’s said the lawsuit misrepresents the facts and that it believes in quality and transparency. The company claimed that McRib is prepared using 100% pork supplied by farmers and dealers in the United States and that the information about the ingredients has always been made accessible to the customers.
Availability and Ingredients of McRib
The McRib is a barbecue-flavored pork sandwich served periodically and for a limited time only by McDonald’s in its restaurants in the United States, and permanently in certain foreign markets.
The official product description explains that McRib is made of boneless pork that has been dipped into a tangy barbecue sauce, topped with sliced onions and pickles, and placed between two pieces of toasted homestyle bread.
McRib is one of the fan favorites, and every time it is added to the menu, the sporadic nature and scarcity of the product generally create a media buzz and a marketing hype that surrounds it. This is also mentioned in the case claim that such a marketing style and premium pricing with no clarity on actual ingredients is an injustice to consumers.
The class-action lawsuit against McDonald’s raises broader questions about how fast-food products are named, marketed, and disclosed to consumers. As the case moves forward in federal court, it may prompt closer scrutiny of product naming and marketing practices in the fast-food industry.
