Class-Action Suit Alleges McRib False Advertising

A class-action lawsuit filed on December 23, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois accuses McDonald's of false advertising over its McRib sandwich, claiming the product's name and presentation mislead consumers into believing it contains actual pork rib meat when it does not.

The complaint, brought by four plaintiffs from California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., alleges that the McRib is made from restructured pork products, including cuts such as shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach, rather than premium rib meat. The suit argues that the sandwich's rib-like shape, barbecue sauce coating, and marketing as a limited-time offering create a false impression of higher-quality ingredients. Plaintiffs contend this deception justifies the McRib's elevated pricing, which averaged $5.63 nationally during its December 2024 return and reached as high as $7.89 in some locations, exceeding the average $5.29 cost of a Big Mac at the time.

"This cycle of sporadic availability creates a sense of urgency that discourages deep consumer scrutiny," the lawsuit states, suggesting the intermittent promotions prevent customers from closely examining...