Campbell’s denies 3D-printed chicken claim as it fires US executive

Food giant Campbell’s said on Wednesday it has fired an executive who was recorded making racist comments and mocking the company’s products and customers.

Martin Bally, a vice-president in Campbell’s information security department, was named in a lawsuit filed last week by Robert Garza, a former Campbell’s employee who said he was fired January 30 after he reported Bally’s comments to a supervisor.

The lawsuit was filed in Michigan, where both Garza and Bally live. Campbell’s is based in Camden, New Jersey.

In the lawsuit, Garza claimed he met with Bally in November 2024 to discuss his salary. During the meeting, which Garza allegedly recorded, Bally described Campbell’s as “highly process(ed) food” and said it was for “poor people”.

Garza claimed in the lawsuit that Bally made racist remarks about Indian workers, whom he called “idiots”. Garza said Bally also told him that he often went to work high after consuming marijuana edibles.

Campbell’s said Wednesday it first learned of Garza’s lawsuit last week. After listening to portions of the recording, Campbell’s said it believed the voice was Bally’s. Bally was fired on Tuesday.

“The comments were vulgar, offensive and false, and we apologise for the hurt they have caused,” the company said in a statement. “This behaviour does not reflect our values and the culture of our company, and we will not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances.”