Campbell's Executive Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Racist Comments
A senior executive at American food giant Campbell's has been accused of making highly offensive remarks about Indian employees during a recorded conversation, according to a lawsuit filed by a former cybersecurity analyst. The incident, which occurred in November 2024, has triggered internal investigations and legal action, putting the company's culture under intense scrutiny.
Recording Captures Derogatory Statements and Product Criticism
The legal complaint was brought by Robert Garza, a former employee who claims he met Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Martin Bally at a restaurant in November 2024. Garza expected to discuss his salary but instead recorded Bally launching into a tirade against Indian colleagues.
According to the lawsuit and the recording, Bally allegedly referred to Indian employees as "idiots" and complained that they could not think for themselves during a technical incident. The recording reportedly includes him using phrases like "F**king Indians" and "They couldn't think for their f**king selves."
Garza told local media he secretly recorded the exchange because he had an instinct that something was not right. In the same conversation, Bally allegedly criticized Campbell's own products, describing the food as highly processed and intended for poor people. He suggested the company might use bioengineered meat and stated he no longer consumed Campbell's products because he did not want to eat chicken from a 3D printer.
Company Response and Fallout
Campbell's issued a strong statement in response, saying that if the comments attributed to Bally were made, they were unacceptable and do not reflect the company's values. The company firmly rejected any suggestion that its soups do not contain real chicken, emphasizing that ingredients come from suppliers approved by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Importantly, Campbell's clarified that Bally works in IT and has no involvement in food production or sourcing. The company confirmed that Bally has been placed on temporary leave pending an internal investigation. Bally, who has worked at Campbell's since January 2022 and boasts over 25 years of IT experience, did not respond to requests for comment.
The controversy has attracted regulatory attention. Following reports of the lawsuit, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the state's consumer protection division would investigate Campbell's, noting that Florida bans lab-grown meat.
Allegations of Retaliation and Legal Standing
Garza's lawsuit takes the situation further, alleging serious retaliation. He claims he reported the offensive comments to his supervisor on January 10, but was not advised to escalate the issue to human resources. Shockingly, on January 30, his employment was abruptly terminated after almost four years with the firm.
The lawsuit contends that this dismissal was retaliatory and has caused Garza significant stress, mental anguish, and financial harm. He is now seeking damages and attorney fees.
The complaint also contains another startling claim: that Bally told Garza he often appeared at work under the influence of marijuana edibles. In the recording, the person alleged to be Bally discusses using edibles to sleep due to work pressures, admitting that lack of rest was affecting his job performance.
Garza's attorney has asserted that the recording was legally obtained under Michigan law, which permits a person to record a conversation they are part of without notifying the other party. This complex case unfolds as Campbell's recently rebranded from Campbell Soup Co. to the Campbell's Co., reflecting its broader portfolio that includes popular brands like Goldfish, Prego, Rao's, and Kettle.
