Campbell soup exec called products food for ‘poor people’

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 -A lawsuit filed in Michigan alleges that a high‑ranking executive at Campbell’s described the company’s products as food for “poor people.” 

According to the suit, during a November 2024 meeting, the executive criticized Campbell’s food as “highly processed,” saying it was “meant for poor people.” The former employee who recorded the meeting later says he was fired after reporting the remarks.

The lawsuit identifies the executive as Martin Bally, Campbell’s vice president and chief information security officer. The recording — admitted in the complaint — reportedly captures Bally disparaging both the products and certain employees, including making derogatory remarks about workers of Indian descent. 

Allegedly, he referred to the soups as “s— for poor people” and criticized the use of what he called “bio‑engineered meat.”

In response to the allegations, Campbell’s says that Bally has been placed on leave while the matter is investigated. The company asserts that the remarks, if verified, are unacceptable and not aligned with its values. 

It also defended the quality of its products, stating that their soups contain real chicken sourced from approved suppliers — and not any “bio‑engineered” or 3D‑printed ingredients.