The McDonald's McRib class action is still moving forward because a federal judge refused to dismiss its core claims. U.S. District Judge April Perry ruled that buyers plausibly alleged deception over whether the sandwich contains rib meat.
The McRib is McDonald's limited-time boneless pork sandwich molded with rib-like bumps. The case, Le et al. v. McDonald's Corp., challenges what that name and shape tell an ordinary buyer.
Official resource:
- Read the official notice from Barsacross — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- What the buyers allege
- Why the judge kept the case alive
- What McDonald's says
- Can you file a claim or get payment now
What the buyers allege
Plaintiffs Peter Le, Charles Lynch, Dorien Baker and Darrick Wilson say the name McRib, the rib-shaped patty and related advertising imply pork rib meat. They allege the patty instead uses restructured shoulder, heart, tripe and scalded stomach, as described by Law Commentary.
They support that reading with consumer surveys. Bars Across reports that 72% of 215 respondents expected rib meat, while 67% of 174 said rib meat was important or very important to buying it.
Why the judge kept the case alive
On Oct. 30, 2026, Judge Perry in Chicago refused to fully dismiss the proposed class action. According to Reuters via LA Post, she let consumer-deception, fraud and unjust-enrichment claims proceed in the Oct.
30 ruling. She held it was too early to accept McDonald's view that no reasonable consumer could expect rib meat. As summarized by MoneyTalksNews, she said buyers of a roughly $7 sandwich need not research ingredients and pointed to McChicken and Egg McMuffin as names that describe contents in the court's reasoning.
What McDonald's says
McDonald's disputes the ingredient allegation and the implied promise. It told Reuters it does not use hearts, tripe or stomach in the McRib.
The company says it has always been transparent that the McRib contains pork. It called the claims meritless distortions of a familiar limited-time product.
Can you file a claim or get payment now
No. The court made no finding of deception or liability and has not certified any class. Perry also dismissed five other claims without prejudice, so affected purchasers get nothing yet.
The case now moves toward evidence gathering and a fight over class certification. Reporting by MeatingPlace notes McDonald's continues limited-time McRib sales in select U.S. markets while that process plays out in the next phase.
- Do not file a claim form yet because none exists.
- Save McRib receipts, app orders and bank statements showing date and price.
- Watch for a certification order, settlement notice or court-approved claim deadline.