McDonald's has denied claims made in a class-action suit accusing the company of misleading customers about the meat content in its McRib sandwich.
"This lawsuit distorts the facts," McDonald's USA told NTD on Monday, adding that "many of the claims are inaccurate."
"Despite its name and distinctive shape—its meat patty has been deliberately crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs—the McRib does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all," the complaint reads.
"Instead, its meat patty is reconstructed using ground-up portions of lower-grade pork products such as, inter alia, pork shoulder, heart, tripe, and scalded stomach."
No hearts, scalded stomach, or tripe—the edible lining from the stomach—are used in the McRib patty, McDonald's confirmed to NTD, adding that these ingredients are prohibited in all of the company's pork products.
The company said it is committed to transparency, noting that food quality and safety are "at the heart" of everything McDonald's does.
"That’s why we’re committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu," McDonald’s USA's statement continues.
"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."
McDonald's debuted the McRib in 1981. The limited-time, seasonal item is typically available in the fall.
However, in their lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that the sandwich's name "is a deliberate sleight of hand" and that "by including the word 'Rib' in the name of the sandwich, McDonald’s knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers, who reasonably (but mistakenly) believe that a product named the 'McRib' will include at least some meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat." They also noted that pork rib meat usually commands a premium price on the market.
"Put simply: consumers have been materially misled en masse as a result of McDonald’s deceptive labeling and marketing into purchasing sandwiches that they would not otherwise have purchased, or would only have paid less for, had they known the truth," the lawsuit reads.
The plaintiffs have requested a trial by jury and have asked that McDonald's be blocked from continuing what they characterized as "deceptive naming, marketing and advertising practices" of the McRib sandwich.
They are also seeking compensatory, exemplary, and punitive damages and statutory penalties for all class members, in addition to attorneys’ fees, prejudgment and post‑judgment interest, and any other relief the court deems appropriate.