Chicago-based fast-food giant McDonald’s has released a statement after a class-action complaint alleged the company mislead customers, saying the chain’s popular McRib sandwich “does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all.”
The lawsuit, filed Dec. 23 in the Northern District of Illinois, was brought by four individuals who claim McDonald’s “knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable customers,” with the plaintiffs alleging the sandwich is actually constructed using ground-up portions of lower-quality pork products such as pork shoulder, heart and scalded stomach.
The suit also says sandwich is “among the most expensive individual item” on McDonald’s menus, costing up to $7.89 at some locations. According to the suit, pork rib meat is traditionally considered a “premium” cut, and lower-grade cuts are less valuable.
“The name ‘McRib’ is a deliberate sleight of hand,” the lawsuit goes on to say. “McDonald’s willfully, falsely, and knowingly omitted various material facts regarding the quality and character of the McRib—namely, that despite its name and distinctive rib-like shape, it does not actually contain any actual pork rib meat. McDonald’s knew these facts would be material to reasonable consumers but still chose not to disclose them.”
According to the McDonald’s website, the McRib consists of “seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun.” It also describes the meat as a “pork patty.”
A total of 16 court claims were listed in the suit including fraudulent omission or concealment, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, breach of contract and the violation of state consumer protection laws in California, Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C.
McDonald’s issued the following statement to NBC Chicago on Sunday night:
“This lawsuit distorts the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate. Food quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do – that’s why we’re committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu. Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.”
The McRib’s history dates back decades, having first been introduced onto menus in 1981. In the years since, it has returned on a limited-basis, which the lawsuit stated compounded “consumer confusion surrounding the true contents” of the item.
“This cycle of sporadic availability creates a sense of urgency that discourages deep consumer scrutiny and deters sustained discussion or scrutiny into its actual ingredients, which further bolsters the longevity of consumer misconceptions regarding the sandwiches’ rib meat content,” the suit read, in part.
The plaintiffs are seeking class certification for anyone who purchased a McRib in the four years prior to the filing of the initial court complaint, damages for class members, restitution and injunctive relief “to prevent further deceptive advertising practices,” according to the suit.
In mid-November, the McRib returned to McDonald’s menus in select parts of the country, including Chicago, Miami, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle and Los Angeles. As usual, it’s only available for a limited time, though it’s unclear how long the sandwich will be available.
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