Campbell’s Co. has placed one of its executives on leave following serious allegations involving racist remarks and disparaging comments about the company’s products. The executive, Martin Bally, who serves as vice president of information technology, is under scrutiny as the company investigates claims made in a lawsuit filed by former employee Robert Garza.
According to a report by The Associated Press, the lawsuit, lodged in Michigan, states that Garza recorded a conversation with Bally in November 2024. During this meeting, Bally allegedly referred to Campbell’s products as “highly process(ed) food” meant for “poor people.” The lawsuit further claims he made derogatory comments about Indian workers, labeling them as “idiots.”
Garza maintains that during the same discussion, Bally confessed to often arriving at work under the influence of marijuana edibles. Following this meeting, Garza reported his concerns to his manager, J.D. Aupperle, on January 10, 2024. However, he asserts that Aupperle neither encouraged him to formally report the comments nor provided any guidance on how to proceed.
Less than three weeks later, on January 30, 2024, Garza was terminated from his position. He is seeking monetary damages and has included both Bally and Aupperle in his lawsuit, holding them accountable for what he describes as wrongful termination.
In response to the allegations, Campbell’s issued a statement affirming that if Bally indeed made such comments, they would be deemed “unacceptable.” The company emphasized, “Such language does not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We do not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.”
Campbell’s further distanced itself from Bally’s remarks, noting that the IT executive “has nothing to do with how we make our food.” The company expressed pride in the quality of its products and the integrity of its workforce, stating that comments about their food were “not only inaccurate — they are patently absurd.”
This incident comes as Campbell’s, headquartered in New Jersey, faces scrutiny over its corporate culture and employee relations. The ongoing investigation aims to address the serious nature of the allegations while maintaining the company’s commitment to its values and the quality of its products.
