Campbell’s Fires IT VP Over ‘3D-Printed Chicken’ Comments
Campbell’s, a well-known food company recognized for its signature soups, has made headlines following the termination of its IT vice president. The decision came after a controversial meeting was recorded, exposing disparaging remarks about the company’s products.
Incident Overview
The events unfolded in September 2024 when Robert Garza secured a position as a cybersecurity analyst at Campbell’s. A court filing indicates that Garza met with Martin Bally, the then-vice president for IT, in November 2024 to discuss his salary.
Allegations Against Martin Bally
During their meeting, Bally reportedly described Campbell’s products as being for “poor people” and made racist comments about certain employees. Garza claims he reported these comments to his manager but saw no action taken. In January 2025, he suggested involving the Human Resources (HR) team, but again there was inaction.
- Date of Incident: November 2024
- Bally’s Comments: Refers to Campbell’s products as for “poor people”
- Claims of Racism: Allegations made regarding comments about employees
Response and Consequences
Weeks later, Garza was terminated, allegedly influenced by Bally and his manager. The situation escalated when Garza released a recording of the meeting, in which Bally uses crude language and expresses his refusal to eat Campbell’s products, particularly criticizing the idea of “3D-printed chicken.”
Public Reaction and Legal Response
The audio gained significant media attention, leading to statements from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who announced plans to investigate due to local regulations against lab-grown meat. Following the controversy, Campbell’s publicly denounced Bally’s remarks, describing them as “vulgar, offensive, and false.” They emphasized that the language used contradicts the company’s values.
- Company Statement: “We will not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.”
- Date of Bally’s Termination: November 25
Additionally, Campbell’s reinforced its commitment to quality, asserting that its chicken comes from reputable farms and rejecting claims of selling lab-grown products as “completely false.”
Legal Action from Robert Garza
In response to the incident, Garza is seeking damages for stress, humiliation, economic losses, and other unspecified damages, which he hopes to clarify during litigation.
This incident highlights the potential consequences of unguarded remarks in corporate settings and the importance of upholding company values and ethics.
