A high-ranking executive at the Campbell Soup Company has been caught on a secret recording mocking and cursing out both the company’s signature soups and the everyday Americans who buy them.

The audio recording – now a central part of a new lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court – shows, the complaint alleges, corporate arrogance, discrimination, retaliation, and bigotry within one of the country’s oldest food brands.

The controversy broke open last week when Robert Garza, a former security operations manager at Campbell’s New Jersey headquarters, went public with claims that he was quickly fired after confronting the Vice President of Global Security and Business Continuity, Martin Bally, over a meeting that took a sharp turn, per Newsweek.

What began as a routine salary discussion allegedly spiraled into what Garza calls a “disgusting rant.”

According to the suit, Bally dismissed Campbell’s soups as “sh*t for f*cking poor people,” openly mocking the affordable canned goods that have become a staple in many American homes. The V.P. would also directly take shots at the quality of Campbell’s soup, calling the meat bioengineered and 3-D printed.

“Who buys our sh*t? I don’t buy Campbell’s products barely anymore. It’s not healthy now that I know what the f*ck’s in it,” part of the recording of Bally said, adding, “bioengineered meat — I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer.”

 

The lawsuit goes further, accusing Bally of saying racist remarks about Indian colleagues and using a collection of slurs and stereotypes. Garza says he reported the incident to HR but was soon terminated, an act he calls clear retaliation for speaking up.

Campbell’s, a 155-year-old company, has not released a formal statement on the lawsuit as of press time.

The timing is rough for the company, which is already dealing with inflation pressures and shifting consumer tastes. According to MarketWatch, Campbell’s experienced a drop in organic sales for the fourth quarter of this year, and warned that 2026 earnings are projected to decrease significantly due to elevated tariffs.

Plus, Bally’s leaked comments cut straight to the company’s identity: providing accessible, affordable meals for working-class families.

Garza’s attorneys are now seeking damages for wrongful termination, as well as emotional distress, and claims of violations connected to anti-discrimination laws, potentially totaling millions of dollars, per YahooFinance.

They’re also pushing for Bally’s removal from the company, saying his presence “poisons” company culture.