On Friday, October 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge April Perry ruled that a class action lawsuit alleging that McDonald’s McRib sandwich misleads customers may proceed.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claims that the McRib’s “meat patty has been deliberately crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs–the McRib does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all.” The complaint argues that “McDonald’s knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers, who reasonably (but mistakenly) believe that a product named the ‘McRib’ will include at least some meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat, which commands a premium price on the market.” The complaint further states that “consumers have been materially misled en masse as a result of McDonald’s deceptive labeling and marketing into purchasing sandwiches that they would not otherwise have purchased, or would only have paid less for, had they known the truth.” The class action complaint claims that consumers suffered damages since they were induced to purchase the McRib under mistaken belief and received a sandwich containing no actual pork rib meat.
Judge Perry’s ruling dismissed some claims. However, Judge Perry found it premature to accept McDonald’s argument that no reasonable consumer could expect the sandwiches in question to contain rib meat. Specifically, Judge Perry stated that while McDonald’s website describes the McRib only as containing pork, reasonable consumers need not conduct research before purchasing a fast-food sandwich. Further, Judge Perry stated that the McDonald’s advertising highlighting the meat patty’s rib-like shape could support a claim of intent to defraud, allowing the claim to survive so that the plaintiffs could provide further proof. “Plaintiffs’ proffered understanding of ‘McRib’ is not unreasonable or fanciful.”
Additional Reading
McDonald’s must face lawsuit over McRib, US judge rules, Reuters (October 30, 2026)
Judge Lets McRib Lawsuit Proceed, Finding Diners’ Expectation of Rib Meat Not Unreasonable at This Stage, Medical Daily (November 4, 2026)
Le et al v. McDonald’s Corporation et al (Case No. 1:2025cv15609)
Class Action Complaint in Le et al v. McDonald’s Corporation et al
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