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McDonald's will have to defend itself in court over claims that its popular McRib sandwich misleads customers about the type of pork used in its patty.
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed by four consumers in December 2025 can proceed after U.S. District Judge April Perry rejected the company's request to have the case dismissed in full.
The plaintiffs accuse McDonald's of giving customers the impression that the sandwich contains actual pork rib meat through its name and distinctive shape. They argue that the patty is deliberately formed with ridges resembling a rack of ribs, leading buyers to believe they are paying for a more expensive cut of meat.
According to the complaint, the McRib is instead made using ground pork products, allegedly including shoulder, heart, tripe and stomach. The plaintiffs claim the presentation is misleading and causes customers to pay more than they would if they knew exactly what was in the sandwich.
The McRib has appeared on McDonald's menus periodically since 1981. The company describes it as seasoned boneless pork coated in barbecue sauce, but the lawsuit argues that this description does not make clear that the sandwich contains no actual rib meat.
McDonald's asked the court to throw out the case, arguing that its ingredients have been publicly discussed and that its marketing does not amount to deception.
Judge Perry was not convinced that customers should be expected to research the sandwich before purchasing it. She noted that the company's website describes the McRib as containing pork without providing a detailed breakdown of the meat used.
In her ruling, Perry said it was too early to conclude that no reasonable customer would expect a sandwich called the McRib to contain rib meat. She also found that advertisements emphasising the patty's rib-like appearance could support the plaintiffs' argument about misleading marketing, although further evidence would be needed to establish intent to defraud.
McDonald's has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that the sandwich is made with 100 per cent pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the United States.
The company also specifically rejected claims that its recipe includes heart, tripe or scalded stomach.
