Campbell’s has taken action against a senior executive following allegations of disrespectful comments towards the company’s iconic soup brand, referring to its products in a derogatory manner meant for lower-income individuals.

The executive in question, Martin Bally, is accused of making offensive remarks during a heated outburst that has led to a legal dispute. Court documents state that Bally, who holds the position of Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Campbell’s, verbally attacked customers, colleagues, and the longstanding products of the company, founded 155 years ago.

The accusations were detailed in a lawsuit filed by Robert Garza, a former cybersecurity analyst at Campbell’s. Garza claims he was terminated wrongfully after reporting Bally’s behavior to management, asserting that he possesses a covert recording as evidence.

According to Garza, the incident occurred in November 2024 at Campbell’s headquarters in New Jersey, where a discussion about his salary with Bally took an unexpected turn. During the meeting, Bally allegedly spent 75 minutes criticizing the company, its employees, and its consumer base, all while Garza discreetly recorded the conversation within the legal boundaries of Michigan’s recording laws.

In the recorded conversation, Bally reportedly expressed disdain for Campbell’s products, labeling them as overly processed and intended for individuals with lower income. He further commented on the quality of the food, mentioning concerns about bioengineered meat and his personal reluctance to consume such products.

Allegations in the legal documents also suggest that Bally confessed to using marijuana edibles before work and made derogatory remarks about Indian coworkers. The lawsuit claims he denigrated his colleagues, stating that they lacked intelligence and independence.

Garza asserts that he promptly reported Bally’s offensive remarks to his supervisor, JD Aupperle, in January 2025, only to be dismissed shortly thereafter without prior disciplinary action or follow-up from the HR department.

Following his termination, Garza faced challenges in securing another job, a process that reportedly took him almost a year. His legal representative, Zachary Runyan, criticized Campbell’s handling of the situation, alleging that Garza was penalized for speaking out against discriminatory behavior.

In response to the allegations, Campbell’s announced the suspension of Bally pending an investigation into the matter. The company emphasized that the reported comments do not align with their values or corporate culture and stated their commitment to probing the issue thoroughly.

The lawsuit includes claims against Bally, Aupperle, and Campbell Soup Company, seeking compensation for wrongful termination and damages resulting from the incident.