McRib meat dispute: lawsuit against McDonald’s can proceed

Four consumers initially filed the lawsuit in December, asserting that McDonald’s intentionally designs the McRib patty to resemble pork ribs while lacking actual rib meat. They contend that the sandwich’s branding and marketing create a false impression of a higher-quality pork product.

Judge Perry stated that it is premature to determine whether consumers can reasonably expect the McRib to contain rib meat. She referenced consumer surveys submitted by the plaintiffs, one of which indicated that 72% of respondents believed the sandwich should include rib meat, and another showing that 67% considered rib meat a significant factor in their purchasing decisions.

The lawsuit alleges the McRib contains pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and stomach instead of rib meat. McDonald’s maintains the sandwich contains 100% pork sourced from US farmers and suppliers, and denies using heart, tripe, or scalded stomach.

The company argued that the McRib’s trademarked name is not misleading and that the ingredient list clearly identifies pork. Judge Perry rejected this argument, drawing parallels to other McDonald’s products with descriptive names.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s has not yet responded to a request for comment. The McRib, first introduced in 1981, is known for its limited-time availability. It consists of a boneless pork patty with barbecue sauce, onions, and pickles. McDonald’s operates approximately 14,000 restaurants in the US and over 45,000 globally.