(LOOTPRESS) – Campbell Soup Company has terminated a senior executive following the emergence of a recording in which he allegedly disparages the company’s products as unhealthy, low-quality, and made with “bioengineered” meat. The company confirmed Wednesday that Martin Bally, a vice president in the information technology division, is no longer employed after officials reviewed the audio.
The recording is at the center of a newly filed lawsuit in Wayne County, Michigan, brought by former cybersecurity analyst Robert Garza, who claims he captured Bally’s remarks during a meeting at a restaurant earlier this year. In the suit, obtained by ABC News, Garza alleges Bally made derogatory comments about Campbell’s customers and ingredients.
“We have [expletive] for [expletive] poor people … Who buys our [expletive]? … I don’t buy [expletive] Campbell’s products, barely anymore,” Bally allegedly said in the recording. He went on to claim that Campbell’s soups contained “pot bioengineered meat” and compared the chicken to “a [expletive] piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer.”
In an interview with ABC News, Campbell’s stressed that the alleged statements about its food are “false and completely inaccurate.”
Whistleblower Claims Retaliation
Garza’s lawsuit asserts that he intended to report Bally’s behavior to human resources, but instead of an investigation, he was fired weeks later. His attorney, Zachary Runyan, said Garza believed he was doing the right thing.
“This situation has been very hard on Robert. He thought Campbell’s would be thankful that he reported Martin’s behavior, but instead he was abruptly fired,” Runyan told ABC News.
Campbell’s, however, disputes the characterization, saying Garza was terminated “for good reason” and had been with the company for fewer than five months.
Garza is suing the company for retaliation and creating a hostile work environment, seeking both emotional and financial damages.
Campbell’s Denies Claims About Food Quality
Bally, who worked in IT and had no role in food production, was initially placed on administrative leave while the company investigated. Campbell’s said the comments—if authentic—“are unacceptable” and run counter to the company’s values.
“We are proud of the food we make, the people who make it, and the high-quality ingredients we use,” a company spokesperson said. “The comments made about our food are completely inaccurate and absurd.”
The company emphasized that its soups use “no antibiotics,” “100% real” chicken sourced from long-trusted, USDA-approved U.S. suppliers.
Campbell’s also noted it has not been provided the recording and has been unable to independently verify its authenticity.
Despite that, following its internal review, the company determined the voice in the recording to be Bally’s and confirmed his departure on Tuesday.
The lawsuit remains ongoing.
