McDonald’s is bringing back the McRib sandwich to its UK restaurants today after a decade-long absence, but it will only be available “while stocks last.” The reintroduction is part of a major menu update that also includes four new items. The McRib was first launched in the UK in 1981 but was discontinued after four years. It has returned temporarily several times, with the last appearance in December 2014, according to Birmingham Live.
A McDonald’s spokesperson told The Sun, “The McRib is a limited-edition product and will be available whilst stocks last. In the UK, we consider it important to separate pork and beef on the grill, so we have implemented separate cooking processes and dedicated utensils across our restaurants to accommodate McRib fans and reintroduce it to the UK.”
When asked about the sporadic availability of the McRib, McDonald’s explained that many of their restaurants do not have sufficient grill capacity to cook both pork and beef products simultaneously. “The breakfast menu is different because we don’t serve beef products, which allows us to have a dedicated grill for all our delicious pork products,” the spokesperson added.
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) noted that current pork prices in the UK are significantly higher than the five-year average, and supplies are limited. The UK breeding herd is at an all-time low, leading to prices that are approximately 20% higher than in the EU. “Whatever the reason for the McRib’s return, it’s unlikely to be due to lower prices or an increased supply,” a BMPA representative said.
However, a spokesperson from Red Tractor offered a different perspective: “Pig prices have dropped this year after a long period of increases. The price is cyclical and influenced by the EU market. If EU pig prices decrease, it brings down UK prices too.” They added, “We can’t confirm whether the changes in pig prices led McDonald’s to reintroduce the McRib.”
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