A class-action lawsuit against McDonald’s boldly asks: Is the McRib really rib?
A class-action lawsuit questions McDonald’s marketing of the McRib sandwich, alleging it misleadingly implies the sandwich contains pork rib meat.Summary
A recent class-action lawsuit filed in Illinois challenges McDonald’s marketing of the McRib sandwich, arguing that its name and shape falsely suggest it contains actual pork rib meat. Plaintiffs claim McDonald’s intentionally misleads customers by advertising a “rib” sandwich despite using a “seasoned boneless pork patty” made from lower-grade pork products like shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach. The lawsuit highlights McDonald’s strategy of limited-time releases to create scarcity and justify a higher price point, suggesting the “McRib” name is a “deliberate sleight of hand.” McDonald’s defends the sandwich, stating the claims are false and that it uses 100% pork from U.S. suppliers, without the alleged offal ingredients. The case centers on whether the McRib’s form and name constitute deceptive marketing, and whether a rib-shaped patty can legitimately be called a “rib” sandwich.
(Source：Fast Company)