McDonald’s is robustly contesting a recently initiated class-action lawsuit that accuses the fast-food behemoth of misrepresenting the composition of its well-known McRib sandwich.
McDonald’s Reacts to Class-Action Lawsuit
The lawsuit, lodged in the Northern District of Illinois, asserts that the McRib, despite its nomenclature and visual appeal, “does not contain any actual pork rib meat.”
In a statement following the surfacing of the lawsuit, the Chicago-based corporation refuted the allegations vehemently, branding them as inaccurate and misleading.
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.
Since its inception in 1981, the McRib has served as a pivotal element of McDonald’s marketing initiatives, making intermittent appearances on menus, often during limited-time promotions.
Plaintiffs contend that this irregular availability has contributed to the long-standing confusion experienced by consumers.
McDonald’s intends to mount a vigorous defense against the claims, emphasizing its commitment to transparency regarding the ingredients in the McRib and reiterating that the sandwich is composed of pork sourced from U.S. suppliers.
Details of the Lawsuit Concerning the McRib
“This cycle of sporadic availability creates a sense of urgency that discourages deep consumer scrutiny and deters sustained inquiry into its actual ingredients, thereby perpetuating consumer misconceptions regarding the sandwich’s rib meat content,” the lawsuit articulates.
The suit was filed on December 23 by four individuals, who assert that McDonald’s “knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable customers.”
The plaintiffs allege that the McRib is crafted from ground or restructured pork products, which may include cuts such as pork shoulder, heart, and scalded stomach—elements they argue are contrastively less desirable than traditional rib meat.
The lawsuit further highlights pricing, asserting that the McRib is “among the most expensive individual items” on McDonald’s menu, with prices soaring to $7.89 in certain locations. This pricing, according to the plaintiffs, bolsters consumer assumptions regarding the quality of meat in the sandwich.
The name ‘McRib’ is a deliberate sleight of hand,” the lawsuit proclaims. “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 was aware that these facts would be material to reasonable consumers yet chose not to disclose them.
However, McDonald’s own ingredient descriptions do not classify the product as rib meat. According to the company’s website, the McRib is characterized as “seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun,” specifically referring to the meat as a “pork patty.”
The plaintiffs are pursuing class certification for anyone who purchased a McRib within the four years preceding the filing, as well as seeking damages, restitution, and injunctive relief “to prevent further deceptive advertising practices.”
The suit encompasses 16 counts, including fraudulent omission or concealment, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and violations of consumer protection statutes in California, Illinois, New York, and Washington, D.C.
According to CBS News Austin, McDonald’s first introduced the McRib to menus in Kansas City in 1981.
Source link: Livemint.com.
