Campbell’s exec out after allegedly saying brand’s food is for ‘poor people’

Food Dive reported the development on 2025-11-26. Former employee Robert Garza claims he was fired for wanting to report the executive’s comments to human resources.

The report places the news in a wider commercial context. Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement that Vice President of Information Technology Martin Bally is no longer with Campbell’s following a review. Campbell’s says an IT executive is no longer employed by the company after a lawsuit claimed he called the soup maker's food highly processed and for “poor people,” along with other disparaging remarks against Indian workers.

For the food sector, the practical implications extend beyond the immediate announcement. Former employee Robert Garza said in a lawsuit filed Nov. 20 that he was fired in retaliation for wanting to report Vice President of Information Technology Martin Bally, who allegedly also said in an audio recording he doesn't buy Campbell's food anymore because it uses bioengineered meat and “chicken that came from a 3D printer.”. In a statement, Campbell’s said it.

Attention now turns to how companies, customers and regulators respond. As the technology executive's alleged comments gained steam on social media, Campbell’s forcefully pushed back against the statements made about its ingredients and its alleged use of bioengineered meat. The company said in a statement that its meat comes from USDA-approved suppliers and it does not allow its chicken farmers to use antibiotics.