Judge Keeps Mystery-Meat Suit Over McRib on McDonald's Plate

The lawsuit against McDonald's over what's inside its McRib isn't over yet. A federal judge in Chicago declined to toss a proposed class action accusing the fast-food giant of misleading customers by molding patties to look like rib meat while using cheaper pork cuts instead, Reuters reports. The plaintiffs say they overpaid for one of the priciest items on the menu, believing it contained actual ribs. US District Judge April Perry said it was too early to rule that no reasonable buyer would expect rib meat, noting that the McDonald's website simply calls the filling "pork," and that a $7 sandwich shouldn't require homework.

Ads that emphasize the rib-like shape could also support a fraud claim, Perry wrote. McDonald's denies using hearts, tripe, or stomach in the McRib and calls the case meritless. The company says the McRib is a customer favorite and builds the cultish attention by offering the sandwich for limited periods at limited locations, per Axios. News outlets then feed the hype with bonus coverage of its return each time, including reported sightings.