Overview
- The Dec. 23 federal complaint filed in Chicago names four plaintiffs from California, New York, Illinois and Washington, D.C.
- It alleges the rib-shaped patty contains no actual pork rib meat and that the name leads consumers to pay premium prices, with some sandwiches reported near $7.89.
- The filing cites research on restructured meat and a 2011 Chicago Magazine report to argue the patty uses lower-grade pork parts such as shoulder, heart, tripe and scalded stomach.
- McDonald’s says the lawsuit distorts the facts, stating there are no hearts, tripe or scalded stomach in the McRib and that it uses 100% pork sourced in the U.S.
- Plaintiffs seek nationwide class certification covering purchases over four years plus damages and injunctive relief, with routine motions to dismiss and class-certification briefing expected next.