Is a McRib really a McRib is it's made of something else? That question is at the heart of a federal class-action lawsuit that alleges McDonald's misleads consumers with its marketing.
The suit claims the McRib sandwich contains no actual rib meat and consists of lower-grade pork products like "pork shoulder, heart, and scalded stomach."
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The lawsuit, a 45-page document filed in the Northern District of Illinois, claims that the McRib is made with ground-up portions of pork and not actual rib meat, leading to consumer deception.
The lawsuit lists 16 claims, including fraudulent omission or concealment, fraudulent misrepresentation, and violation of state consumer protection laws in California, Illinois, New York, and Washington, D.C.
A McDonald’s spokesperson defended the company to outlet The Independent, saying the allegations just aren't true. The spokesman said McRib uses 100% boneless pork with BBQ sauce, onions, and pickles, and that no hearts, tripe, or scalded stomach are included.
“This lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate. 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,” the spokesperson said.
“Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100 percent pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them,” the statement concluded.
So, what does the filer of the lawsuit want? Per the documents, the plaintiffs seek damages, restitution (aka money) for anyone who purchased a McRib in the last for years, and to prevent "further deceptive advertising practices."
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