Today on The View, Sherri Shepherd asks Whoopie Goldberg, who is gingerly holding a McDonald's McRib sandwich, "What is it made out of?" Joy Behar answers for her, "I think it's made out of some mystery meat."
The View is helping to roll out the news that this elusive sandwich is back for a limited time only. It appeared on the fast food chain's menus November 2, and will just as quickly disappear on December 5.
McDonald's uses the classic marketing gimmick of supply and demand to cause hysteria among fans resulting in millions of sandwiches sold. The company even hypes the end-of-days of the McRib by holding the "McRib Farewell Tour" which "gives customers their last chance to experience the sizzling boneless pork rib patty..."
To add to the mythology of their mysterious product, this time around McDonald's rolled out the McRib with a video on its website that begins with an animation of a sandwich drawn in stars in a night sky and a voice over saying, "It's origins are unknown, where it began uncertain..."
And that is where animal advocates and nutritionists concerns bisect. On vegan.com, a blog by Erik Marcus, he says, "The McRib is one of those rare products that, like the KFC Double Down, is so over-the-top nasty that it makes the entire company look slimy and disreputable."
A nutrition website called Calorie Count gives the sandwich a "D" grade for its high calorie, fat, sodium and cholesterol content.
As for the "origin" of the McRib, McDonald's seems to have an aversion to admitting that the slab of pressed meat between the two buns was once an animal. Even on the FAQ page of their website, McDonald's appears to avoid the question they pose themselves: "What animal is the McRib made of?"
Their answer: "The McRib is made from pork! It consists of a pork patty on a bun, with sauce, pickle slices and slivered onions.
The hog industry verifies this in articles posted in various pork-related magazines and websites: Nov 2, 2010 National Hog Farmer "McRib Sandwich Gets Return Engagement" Nov 3, 2010 www.porkmag.com "McRib Makes a Comeback" Nov 3, 2010 The Pig Site.com "Pork Checkoff Supports Return of McRib Nationwide"
Perhaps consumers are aware that the meat inside the McRib is not such a mystery afterall. A comment from a viewer of The View says, "Give me gristle and hoof and bone and and scramble it into a mush that can be formed into a patty that resembles meat, then slather on the cheapest BBQ sauce you can find... and call it a McRib!" All photos courtesy of Fast Food Facts.
Shelley Frost has served in both executive and volunteer positions at animal shelters. A co-author of Your Adopted Dog, she also produces documentaries about animal issues.
McDonald's McRib sandwich right out of the bag, still in the wrapper.
McDonald's McRib just unwrapped
McDonald's McRib: a look under the bun
McDonald's McRib with the pickles and onions removed.
McDonald's McRib with the sauce washed off.
McDonald's McRib:This is the 'bottom,' apparently the 'ribs' are only pressed on the top.
