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McDonald’s is facing a legal battle over its popular McRib sandwich after a federal judge allowed parts of a lawsuit accusing the fast-food chain of misleading customers about its ingredients to move forward.
The lawsuit claims the sandwich contains no actual pork rib meat, despite its name, shape and marketing. Four consumers allege that McDonald’s created the impression that customers were purchasing a sandwich made with rib meat when its patty uses other pork cuts.
U.S. District Judge April Perry in Chicago rejected McDonald’s request to dismiss the entire case on Friday, October 30, 2026. The decision allows claims involving consumer deception, fraud and unjust enrichment to proceed.
However, the judge dismissed five other claims without prejudice. The ruling does not establish that McDonald’s misled customers or violated the law.
McDonald’s McRib lawsuit challenges sandwich ingredients
The proposed class-action lawsuit was filed by four consumers in December 2025. It accuses McDonald’s of using less expensive pork cuts to produce the McRib’s distinctive rib-shaped patty.
According to the plaintiffs, the sandwich contains ground pork products, including shoulder, heart, tripe and stomach, rather than actual rib meat.
The consumers argue that the sandwich’s name and appearance could lead customers to believe they are purchasing a product made with pork ribs.
McDonald’s has rejected the allegations. The company maintains that the McRib is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the United States.
A company spokesperson also previously denied that heart, tripe or scalded stomach are ingredients in the sandwich.
Judge rejects McDonald’s attempt to dismiss lawsuit
McDonald’s argued that reasonable customers would not expect the McRib to contain actual rib meat simply because of its name.
However, Judge Perry determined that the plaintiffs had presented enough arguments for parts of the case to continue.
The judge also considered consumer surveys submitted by the plaintiffs. One survey reportedly found that 72% of respondents expected the McRib to contain rib meat.
Another survey found that 67% considered rib meat important or very important when deciding whether to purchase the sandwich.
The ruling also addressed McDonald’s argument that its trademarked product name should protect it from deceptive marketing claims.
The judge noted that other menu items, including the McChicken and Egg McMuffin, use names that describe their ingredients.
McDonald’s has maintained that its publicly available ingredient list identifies pork as the sandwich’s primary ingredient.
McRib returns as legal battle continues
The lawsuit comes as McDonald’s brings back the McRib for another limited-time appearance.
The latest comeback began October 27, 2026, in select U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
First introduced in 1981, the McRib features a boneless pork patty shaped like a rack of ribs. It is covered in barbecue sauce and served with onions and pickles on a toasted bun.
The sandwich has developed a loyal following because of its occasional returns to McDonald’s menus rather than remaining a permanent offering.
Despite its popularity, the latest lawsuit raises questions about how customers interpret the sandwich’s name, appearance and advertised ingredients.
For now, McDonald’s will have to defend itself against the remaining allegations as the legal proceedings continue. The court has not determined whether the company’s marketing misled consumers.
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