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A former Campbell's Company employee has filed a lawsuit accusing a top executive of making disparaging remarks about the company's products and its customers.

Robert Garza, who worked as a cybersecurity analyst, claims Martin Bally, Campbell's vice president of information technology, called the company's soup "highly processed food" for "poor people" during a November 2024 meeting.

Garza recorded the meeting, which he had expected to be a discussion about his salary, and shared the recording with Local 4 WDIV Detroit.

In the audio, a voice alleged to be Bally can be heard criticizing Campbell's soup, saying, "We have s--- that's for poor people. Who buys our s---? I don't buy Campbell's products barely anymore."

According to FoxBusiness, the voice also referenced "bioengineered meat" and joked about not wanting "a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer."

The lawsuit also alleges Bally made racist comments about Indian coworkers, calling them "idiots" and saying he disliked working with them.

Garza claims Bally admitted to sometimes coming to work under the influence of marijuana.

Garza reported the comments to his manager, J.D. Aupperle, but alleges he was not encouraged to take the matter to human resources.

Twenty days later, Garza was fired. He claims his termination was retaliation for reporting racial discrimination and harassment, and he is seeking damages for emotional, economic, and non-economic harm, including stress, humiliation, and attorney fees.

Campbell's Defends Quality of Products

Campbell's responded to the allegations, stating, "If the comments heard on the audio recording were in fact made by Mr. Bally, they are unacceptable. Such language does not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We do not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances."

The company added that Bally is temporarily on leave while an internal investigation is conducted.

In a separate statement, Campbell's said, "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. The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate — they are patently absurd."

Campbell's Company, formerly known as Campbell Soup Co., changed its name in September 2024 to reflect its broader portfolio, which includes Pace and Prego sauces, V8 juices, and other products, USA Today reported.

The company emphasized that its chicken meat comes from USDA-approved suppliers and meets high-quality standards.

Garza told WDIV that after being fired, it took him 10 months to find another job. "They have a motto: 'We treat you like family here at Campbell's — come work for us,'" he said. "That's not the case."