Campbell’s Terminates Executive Over Racist Comment Allegations

Campbell’s has announced the termination of an executive following allegations of racist comments and mockery of its products. This decision was made public on Wednesday, as a lawsuit brought by former employee Robert Garza raised serious concerns about workplace conduct.

Overview of the Incident

The situation surfaced after Garza filed a lawsuit in Michigan against Campbell’s and two of its executives: Martin Bally, the former vice president of information technology, and another manager. The lawsuit claims retaliation and a hostile work environment stemming from a meeting in November 2024.

Details of the Allegations

During the November meeting, Garza reportedly recorded a conversation that lasted over 90 minutes. In this exchange, Bally allegedly made derogatory remarks about Campbell’s products, describing them as “highly process(ed) food” meant for “poor people.” Additionally, he is accused of making racist comments about Indian workers, using offensive language.

Company Response

Campbell’s conducted a review after learning about the litigation and the audio recording. The company confirmed the voice on the recording belonged to Bally and labeled the comments as “vulgar, offensive, and false.” They expressed regret for the distress these remarks have caused.

Immediate Actions Taken

• Martin Bally was terminated from his position effective Tuesday.
• The company reassured the public that such language does not reflect its values.

Further Developments

Garza initially reported Bally’s behavior to his manager, J.D. Aupperle, in January 2025. He hoped to address the issue through human resources but was allegedly discouraged from doing so. Subsequently, Garza was reportedly “abruptly terminated” later that month.

Legal Proceedings

Garza is currently seeking monetary damages from Campbell’s for the alleged retaliatory actions he faced after reporting Bally’s behavior. His attorney, Zachary Runyan, stated that this experience has been particularly challenging for Garza, who expected support from the company.

Reactions and Future Actions

As of now, Bally and Aupperle have not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation. Campbell’s reiterated its pride in the quality of its food and emphasized that the comments made in the audio recording are inaccurate and unreasonable.