A senior executive from Campbell’s, a well-known processed food company, has been dismissed following the release of a startling recording allegedly filled with offensive and racist remarks, suggesting the company’s products are intended for ‘poor people.’
The recording surfaced amid a lawsuit involving Martin Bally, the vice president of information technology at the multi-billion dollar firm. The lawsuit was filed in his native Michigan, where a former employee accused him of serious misconduct and inappropriate language, providing evidence to support the allegations.
Robert Garza, who was terminated from his position at Campbell’s in January, claimed his dismissal was due to his complaint against Bally for making racist remarks during a meeting in November 2024.
Known for its affordable soups and processed foods, Campbell’s made a significant announcement this week after sections of Garza’s recording were made public, including comments about their ‘bioengineered meat.’
In the recording, Bally is heard labeling their products as ‘highly processed foods’ and expressing his disdain for ‘a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer.’ Campbell’s has strongly refuted these statements.
A spokesperson stated: “The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate, they are patently absurd.”
The recording originated from a meeting between Garza, a cyber security analyst, and Bally, during which Garza sought a raise and opted to record the conversation.
During this salary discussion, Bally allegedly criticized Indian employees at the company, calling them ‘idiots,’ and commented that the company’s products were for ‘poor people.’
Garza has not made the recording available to the media, but a segment played on Local 4 News in Detroit seemed to corroborate his claims.
As the executive’s controversial remarks quickly gained traction on social media, Campbell’s announced Bally’s termination on Tuesday and released a strong statement.
The company declared: “Such language does not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We do not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.”
They further dismissed his claims from the recording, noting that Bally’s role in IT was unrelated to their food production processes.
“We are proud of the food we make, the people who make it, and the high-quality ingredients we use to provide consumers with good food at a good value,” their statement concluded.
Garza continues to pursue financial compensation from Campbell’s, alleging wrongful termination that caused him emotional distress, shortly after he reported Bally’s comments to his supervisor, who ABC 7 indicates is still employed at the company.