A recent lawsuit claims that executives at Campbell’s Soup referred to the company’s products as food intended for “poor people,” labeling them as “bioengineered meat” that was harmless to consume.
The suit was initiated last week in Michigan by Robert Garza, a former cybersecurity analyst for the company. According to CBS News, executive Martin Barry made disparaging remarks during a meeting in November 2024, which was intended to address employee compensation.
The complaint indicates that Barry made derogatory comments regarding Indian workers and described Campbell’s approach as “very egregious.” He referred to the products as food for the “poor.”
Garza alleged that he reported Barry’s comments to his manager, J.D. Opal, who did not encourage him to escalate the matter to HR.
Barry reportedly expressed disdain for the company’s products, stating, “We’re setting up things for the poor. Who’s going to purchase our items? I rarely buy Campbell’s products anymore. Now that I know what’s in them, they’re not healthy.”
Garza claimed that he was later terminated and that recordings of his conversations with Barry exist. Campbell spokesperson James Regan stated that the company was unaware of any such recordings. During an investigation, it was announced that Barry, who holds the position of vice president and chief information security officer, would be placed on administrative leave.
Florida Attorney General James Wultmeyer mentioned during an interview that the state’s Consumer Protection Bureau would be looking into the quality of Campbell’s products.
“Florida law prohibits artificial meat. Our Consumer Protection Division has initiated an investigation and will seek clarity from Campbell’s,” he stated.
The company commented, “If the comments were indeed made, they are unacceptable. We take pride in the food we produce, the workforce behind it, and the quality ingredients we use. The statements in the recording are not only incorrect but also utterly ridiculous.”
Furthermore, the company defended the quality of its products, emphasizing that Barry’s alleged comments reflect his personal opinions, which do not relate to their food production process.
