A resident of New York’s Hudson Valley is among the plaintiffs in a new class-action lawsuit filed against McDonald’s, claiming the fast-food giant misleads customers about what is really inside its famous McRib sandwich.
According to CBS News, the lawsuit was filed on December 23, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The case argues that the name “McRib” is false advertising because the sandwich does not actually contain rib meat.
The lawsuit was brought by four plaintiffs from different parts of the country, including Charles Lynch of Poughkeepsie, New York, as well as residents of California, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
What is the complaint?
The plaintiffs claim that McDonald’s has created a false impression by using the word “rib” in the product’s name. According to the lawsuit, the sandwich’s meat is not made from real rib cuts, but instead from processed and restructured pork, made using lower-grade parts such as pork shoulder and other pork trimmings.
The legal filing includes multiple claims, including false advertising, fraud, breach of warranty, and violations of consumer protection laws.
A sandwich with a long history
The McRib was first introduced in 1981 and has appeared and disappeared from McDonald’s menus many times over the years. The company usually brings it back for limited-time promotions, often with major advertising campaigns.
Most recently, McDonald’s relaunched the McRib again in November, once more using its limited availability to create excitement and boost sales.
The lawsuit argues that McDonald’s has “cultivated a sense of anticipation” around the McRib and used its scarcity as a marketing tool to drive customers into its restaurants.
What’s really in a McRib?
According to previous reports by CBS News, the McRib contains a 520-calorie pork patty made from seasoned boneless pork, covered in barbecue sauce, and served with onions and pickles on a bun.
The plaintiffs do not claim the sandwich is unsafe to eat. Instead, they say the problem is how it is marketed and named, which they believe leads customers to think they are buying real rib meat.
What happens next?
The plaintiffs are asking the court to allow the case to move forward as a class-action lawsuit, which would allow other customers who bought the McRib to join the case.
McDonald’s has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
