Judge lets McRib false advertising suit proceed against McDonald's

What happened?

1. U.S. District Judge April Perry ruled McDonald's must face the McRib lawsuit, while dismissing some claims, according to the reports.
2. Plaintiffs allege the patty is shaped with ridges to look like pork ribs, leading customers to expect rib meat; the McRib is described in reports as seasoned boneless pork in barbecue sauce, on the menu periodically since 1981.
3. A survey submitted by plaintiffs found 72% of respondents expected rib meat in a McRib and 67% said that expectation mattered to their purchase decision.
4. McDonald's stated the sandwich is made with 100 percent pork from U.S. farmers and suppliers, denied using hearts, tripe or stomach, and called the claims "meritless."
5. The judge wrote that the chain's website describes the sandwich only as containing pork and that buyers of an approximately $7 sandwich need not research ingredients beforehand, according to the reports.
6. The judge said advertising highlighting the rib-like shape could support an intent-to-defraud claim, but further proof would be needed.

U.S. District Judge April Perry in Chicago ruled that McDonald's must face a lawsuit alleging the McRib's rib-like shape misleads customers about its contents, while dismissing some claims. Plaintiffs allege the patty is molded with ridges to resemble pork ribs and submitted a survey finding 72% of respondents expected rib meat. McDonald's says the sandwich is 100 percent pork from U.S. suppliers, denies using hearts, tripe or stomach, and calls the claims meritless.

A machine summary written from the reports listed below; read them for the full account. How summaries are made and what is checked.