Executive's Profanity-Laced Tirade Alleges Company Peddles 'Sh*t for Poor People' with Bioengineered Meat, Sparking Florida AG Investigation

November 26, 2025 | CAMDEN, N.J. — A leaked audio recording of a Campbell Soup Company vice president unleashing a vulgar critique of the iconic brand's products — including explosive claims of "bioengineered meat" and "chicken from a 3D printer" — has plunged the food giant into crisis mode, prompting a state investigation and widespread consumer backlash. The controversy, which erupted late last week, stems from a secret recording made by a former employee during a heated meeting, and has amplified debates over lab-grown meat transparency amid Florida's strict bans on such products.

The audio, captured in December 2024 and detailed in a lawsuit filed this month by ex-employee Robert Garza, features Martin Bally, Campbell's vice president and chief information security officer, in what Garza described as an "hour-long tirade." Bally, who does not oversee product development or supply chains, allegedly ranted: "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***’s in it. Bioengineered meat — I don’t wanna eat a f***ing piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer." He further derided the company's customer base as "poor people" and admitted to drug use at work, according to Garza's complaint filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, which accuses Campbell's of discrimination, retaliation, and a toxic workplace.

Campbell's swiftly distanced itself from the remarks, placing Bally on administrative leave and issuing a stern rebuke. "If accurate, the comments in the recording are unacceptable. They do not reflect our values and the culture of our company," the company stated, emphasizing that Bally's IT role gives him no insight into ingredients. In a detailed response to media inquiries, spokesperson James F. Regan insisted: "We use 100% real chicken in our soups. The chicken meat comes from long-trusted, USDA-approved U.S. suppliers and meets our high quality standards. All of our soups are made with No Antibiotics Ever chicken meat. Any claims to the contrary are completely false." The company acknowledged using genetically modified crops like canola and soy in some products but stressed full labeling compliance.

The fallout escalated Monday when Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a probe by the state's Consumer Protection Division, vowing to "shut down" any violators of Florida's 2024 law banning the sale of lab-grown or "fake" meat. "We don’t do the fake, lab-grown meat here in Florida. If Campbell’s is using it, they’ll face the consequences," Uthmeier declared in a statement, demanding documentation on the company's meat sourcing. Bioengineered meat, often produced via cell cultivation in bioreactors, remains federally approved but faces state-level restrictions in places like Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, fueling a national rift over food tech innovation versus traditional agriculture.

Social media has exploded with outrage, as clips from the recording — first aired by local Detroit outlets — racked up millions of views, blending food safety fears with class-warfare accusations. Hashtags like #BoycottCampbells and #FakeMeatScandal trended nationwide, with users sharing pantry purges and memes mocking the "soup for the masses." Consumer advocates, including the Center for Food Safety, called for a federal audit, while industry watchers noted potential stock dips; Campbell's shares fell 2.3% in pre-market trading Tuesday.

Garza, who claims he was fired after confronting supervisors about Bally's behavior, portrayed the recording as evidence of deeper issues. "I trusted my instinct that something wasn’t right," he told reporters, alleging racist slurs and a cover-up. Campbell's defended the termination as unrelated, citing performance concerns, but the lawsuit paints a picture of retaliation that could drag on in court.

As the iconic red-and-white cans — a staple since 1897 — face unprecedented scrutiny, the scandal highlights growing consumer skepticism toward ultra-processed foods in an era of rising ingredient transparency demands. Campbell's, which reported $9.4 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue largely from soups and snacks, has yet to quantify boycott impacts but pledged an internal review.

Bally could not be reached for comment, and his leave status remains indefinite. For now, the executive's words — whether insider truth or off-the-cuff hyperbole — have turned comfort food into a flashpoint, leaving Americans to wonder: Is that chicken real, or just another layer in the bowl?