McRib in court: Has McDonald's grilled us all?

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Class action lawsuit in the US – because there are no ribs in the McRib?

In the US, a fast food classic is causing a legal stir: four customers have sued McDonald's over the McRib – not because of its taste, but because of allegedly misleading advertising. Their central claim is that the McRib does not contain any real rib meat, even though the name suggests exactly that.

The accusation is that anyone who reads "rib" thinks of juicy pork ribs. Instead, according to the plaintiffs, the patty consists of pork shoulder meat that is simply pressed into a rib-like shape. And customers are supposed to have paid up to $7.89 (approx. €6.75) for this? The lawsuit claims that this is deliberate deception and demands compensation, refunds, and an end to the "misleading" advertising.

The McRib: Cult product with advertising gimmick?

The McRib has long been legendary: wheat bun, BBQ sauce, onions, pickles—and in between, the famous rib-shaped patty. But it is precisely this appearance that is now the problem. Because the plaintiffs argue: it looks like bone, suggesting real rib meat—but it is only pressed pork without bones.

Particular criticism has been directed at the fact that McDonald's only offers the product seasonally, which regularly causes hype among fans. According to the plaintiffs, this is part of a strategy: the artificial shortage prevents customers from taking the time to critically examine the ingredients. Instead, they strike in the heat of the moment and only realize later what is really in it.

McDonald's counters: "100% pork, 0% deception."

As expected, the fast-food giant has responded to the lawsuit in no uncertain terms: "Our McRib is made from 100% pork." The ingredients are communicated transparently and their origin is clear: the meat comes from farmers and suppliers in the USA. Everything is safe and high-quality – and anyone who buys a McRib knows what they are getting.

Legally, things are now getting exciting. Because the case is not about whether pork is used—that is not disputed at all—but rather what kind of meat is used and what the average customer expects when they hear the name "McRib." Is the shape of a patty enough to imply premium quality? Or is the name just clever marketing?

Critical classification

Whether you find it appetizing or not, this case has bite. It shows how far corporations will go in their marketing—and how little it takes to mislead customers. "100% pork" says nothing about quality. And the name "McRib"? It sounds like a barbecue, but in the end, it's just a molded meat product from a factory.

At first glance, the lawsuit may seem excessive, but it raises the right question: Should advertising be allowed to raise expectations that the product cannot fulfill? In this era of food design and artificially generated hype, this is no longer a minor issue. Those who sell honestly do not need deceptive packaging. Period.

Source: spiegel.de