Smithfield Foods is the world's largest producer and processor of pork, and it is the supplier of the famous McRib sandwich. This barbecue-flavored pork sandwich was first introduced to the McDonald's menu in 1981, and it has been a fan favorite ever since. After visual inspection, the meat goes through a grinder before taking the shape of a rib rack. The hamburger contains pork, water, salt, dextrose, and preservatives, and it is sprayed with water to prevent dehydration during the freezing process.
McDonald's sources its meat from a variety of farms and ranches located in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The company audits beef processors and suppliers every year to ensure that the meat meets all food safety requirements. McDonald's only uses a little salt and pepper to season its meat, which is applied before it quickly freezes and then ships to McDonald's stores. Interestingly, McDonald's makes the McRib itself by grinding the pork shoulder and then forming the ground pork into burgers shaped like ribs.
A Twitter user who goes by the name of “Strange and Amazing Facts” shared that the McRib is made from meat products including heart, calluses, and more. Despite rumors about McDonald's, their meat doesn't contain pink slime and the company doesn't use chicken that contains human antibiotics. McDonald's has always known of its customers' strange obsession with sandwiches, and its marketing takes full advantage of the McRib shortage. The company buys meat in bulk just like other products offered, saving them a significant amount of money.
That's why Mandigo is adamant that he wasn't the father of McRib, despite getting credit for it all these years. The McDonald's McCrib Sandwich was first introduced in 1981 and has been reintroduced and discontinued several times since then. McDonald's lovers are looking forward to the big return of this beloved sandwich, which will be available nationwide starting December 2.