Judge allows parts of McRib lawsuit against McDonald’s to proceed

Business · First reported 30 Oct, 21:27 · Updated 22:53

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

A federal judge declined to dismiss several claims in a proposed lawsuit alleging that the McRib’s name, appearance and marketing mislead customers about its meat. The ruling does not determine whether McDonald’s engaged in deceptive advertising; the company denies the allegations.

Judge April Perry allowed consumer deception, fraud and unjust enrichment claims to proceed, while dismissing five other claims without prejudice.
The four plaintiffs allege the McRib resembles pork ribs but contains no rib meat; McDonald’s says it is made with 100% pork.
The judge said it was too early to conclude consumers could not reasonably expect rib meat; the ruling does not establish deceptive advertising.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Judge: US District Judge April Perry, in Chicago
Ruling: Consumer deception, fraud and unjust enrichment claims may proceed; five other claims were dismissed without prejudice
Plaintiffs: Four consumers filed the lawsuit in December
Survey results: One survey found 72% expected rib meat; another found 67% considered rib meat important or very important to their purchase decision
McDonald’s position: The company says the sandwich contains 100% pork sourced from US farmers and suppliers