A federal judge has cleared the way for a consumer deception lawsuit against McDonald’s to move forward, rejecting the fast-food giant’s bid to dismiss claims that its iconic McRib sandwich misleads buyers into believing it contains actual pork rib meat.
U.S. District Judge April Perry issued the ruling in Chicago, allowing the litigation filed by four customers in December 2025 to proceed. The plaintiffs accuse the corporation of consumer deception, fraud, and unjust enrichment, arguing that the sandwich’s name and molded appearance falsely suggest it features meat taken from ribs, when it allegedly relies on cheaper portions of pork.
According to the legal filing, the McRib is manufactured using ground pork products—including shoulder, heart, tripe, and stomach—rather than rib meat. McDonald’s has denied the allegations.
To support their claims, the plaintiffs submitted consumer surveys. One survey found that 72% of respondents believed the sandwich contained actual pork rib meat, while another indicated that 67% considered rib meat to be an important factor in their decision to purchase the item.
The judicial decision coincides with McDonald’s bringing back the seasonal sandwich for another limited run. The McRib returned to participating restaurants on October 27, appearing on menus in major markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.
First introduced to consumers in 1981, the McRib consists of a boneless pork patty shaped to resemble a miniature rack of ribs, slathered in barbecue sauce and served on a roll with pickles and onions. The ongoing litigation challenges the marketing and naming conventions of one of the fast-food industry’s most recognizable limited-time offerings as the product returns to dining rooms nationwide.
