Campbell’s Executive Dismissed Following Controversial Recording of Inappropriate Remarks
FDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary outlines the issues associated with petroleum-based food dyes and the ‘bigger issue’ the agency aims to tackle on ‘The Evening Edit.’
The Campbell’s Company has recently made headlines after terminating an executive who was allegedly recorded making disparaging remarks about the company’s products, customers, and employees. The executive, Martin Bally, who served as a vice president in Campbell’s information security department, reportedly described the company’s food as “s— for f—ing poor people.”
According to a spokesperson for Campbell’s, the audio recording, which surfaced recently, contains “vulgar, offensive and false” comments attributed to Bally. After a thorough review, the company confirmed that the voice on the tape is indeed Bally’s, leading to his dismissal as of Tuesday.
In a statement, the spokesperson expressed regret over the incident, saying, “We apologize for the hurt they have caused. This behavior does not reflect our values and the culture of our company, and we will not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.”
CAMPBELL’S SOUP EXECUTIVE ALLEGEDLY CALLS COMPANY PRODUCTS ‘S— FOR POOR PEOPLE’ IN SECRET RECORDING
Martin Bally, a vice president in Campbell’s information security department. Bally can allegedly be heard in a year-old audio making “vulgar, offensive and false” comments, a company spokesperson told FOX Business. (LinkedIn / Fox News)
Bally had previously been placed on temporary leave during an internal investigation, as reported by The New York Post.
The controversial recording was released by Robert Garza, a former Campbell Soup cybersecurity analyst, as part of a lawsuit filed in Michigan’s Wayne County Circuit Court. Garza claims he recorded the audio during a November 2024 meeting at a restaurant, as reported by Local 4 News Detroit.
Initially keeping the recording private, Garza later reported it to his supervisor. However, he was terminated about 20 days later and is now accusing Campbell’s of retaliation and fostering a racially hostile work environment, according to his complaint.
Garza is seeking damages for wrongful termination and retaliation.
CAMPBELL SOUP TO MAKE HISTORIC NAME CHANGE
Campbell’s soup is seen on shelves at a Walmart store on Sept. 1, 2022, in Houston, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In the recording, Bally allegedly criticizes Campbell’s products, mocks consumers, and makes derogatory remarks about Indian coworkers. He reportedly admits to coming to work under the influence of marijuana, stating, “We have s— for f—ing poor people. Who buys our s—? I don’t buy Campbell’s products barely anymore.”
He further expresses disdain for bioengineered meat, saying, “I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer,” and makes offensive comments about Indian employees, claiming, “F—ing Indians don’t know a f—ing thing. They couldn’t think for their f—ing selves.”
MORE AMERICANS TURN TO HOME COOKING AS ECONOMIC CONCERNS WEIGH
Cans of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup line a supermarket shelf in Bellingham, Washington, on April 25, 2024. (REUTERS/Chris Helgren / Reuters)
Campbell’s stated that it first became aware of the lawsuit and heard portions of the recording on November 20, asserting that neither Garza nor his attorney had previously notified the company about it.
Campbell’s also defended its products and employees, labeling the comments made in the recording as “inaccurate” and “patently absurd.”
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“We’re thankful for the millions of people who buy and enjoy our products and we’re honored by the trust they put in us,” Campbell’s stated. “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.”
FOX Business’ Christina Shaw contributed to this report.
FDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary outlines the issues associated with petroleum-based food dyes and the ‘bigger issue’ the agency aims to tackle on ‘The Evening Edit.’
The Campbell’s Company has recently made headlines after terminating an executive who was allegedly recorded making disparaging remarks about the company’s products, customers, and employees. The executive, Martin Bally, who served as a vice president in Campbell’s information security department, reportedly described the company’s food as “s— for f—ing poor people.”
According to a spokesperson for Campbell’s, the audio recording, which surfaced recently, contains “vulgar, offensive and false” comments attributed to Bally. After a thorough review, the company confirmed that the voice on the tape is indeed Bally’s, leading to his dismissal as of Tuesday.
In a statement, the spokesperson expressed regret over the incident, saying, “We apologize for the hurt they have caused. This behavior does not reflect our values and the culture of our company, and we will not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.”
CAMPBELL’S SOUP EXECUTIVE ALLEGEDLY CALLS COMPANY PRODUCTS ‘S— FOR POOR PEOPLE’ IN SECRET RECORDING
Martin Bally, a vice president in Campbell’s information security department. Bally can allegedly be heard in a year-old audio making “vulgar, offensive and false” comments, a company spokesperson told FOX Business. (LinkedIn / Fox News)
Bally had previously been placed on temporary leave during an internal investigation, as reported by The New York Post.
The controversial recording was released by Robert Garza, a former Campbell Soup cybersecurity analyst, as part of a lawsuit filed in Michigan’s Wayne County Circuit Court. Garza claims he recorded the audio during a November 2024 meeting at a restaurant, as reported by Local 4 News Detroit.
Initially keeping the recording private, Garza later reported it to his supervisor. However, he was terminated about 20 days later and is now accusing Campbell’s of retaliation and fostering a racially hostile work environment, according to his complaint.
Garza is seeking damages for wrongful termination and retaliation.
CAMPBELL SOUP TO MAKE HISTORIC NAME CHANGE
Campbell’s soup is seen on shelves at a Walmart store on Sept. 1, 2022, in Houston, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In the recording, Bally allegedly criticizes Campbell’s products, mocks consumers, and makes derogatory remarks about Indian coworkers. He reportedly admits to coming to work under the influence of marijuana, stating, “We have s— for f—ing poor people. Who buys our s—? I don’t buy Campbell’s products barely anymore.”
He further expresses disdain for bioengineered meat, saying, “I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer,” and makes offensive comments about Indian employees, claiming, “F—ing Indians don’t know a f—ing thing. They couldn’t think for their f—ing selves.”
MORE AMERICANS TURN TO HOME COOKING AS ECONOMIC CONCERNS WEIGH
Cans of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup line a supermarket shelf in Bellingham, Washington, on April 25, 2024. (REUTERS/Chris Helgren / Reuters)
Campbell’s stated that it first became aware of the lawsuit and heard portions of the recording on November 20, asserting that neither Garza nor his attorney had previously notified the company about it.
Campbell’s also defended its products and employees, labeling the comments made in the recording as “inaccurate” and “patently absurd.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“We’re thankful for the millions of people who buy and enjoy our products and we’re honored by the trust they put in us,” Campbell’s stated. “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.”
FOX Business’ Christina Shaw contributed to this report.
