Global food company Campbell's has strongly denied what it calls "absurd" allegations that its popular soups contain 3D-printed chicken, following controversial comments made by one of its senior executives.
Executive's Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
The controversy emerged after Martin Bally, a vice president and chief information security officer at Campbell's, was allegedly recorded making derogatory comments about the company's products and employees. According to reports published on November 26, 2025, Bally reportedly described Campbell's foods as "highly processed foods" that are "shit for ... poor people" during an hour-long, expletive-filled rant.
In the secretly recorded audio, which was later shared with a Michigan media outlet, the voice identified as Bally's expressed disdain for what he called "bioengineered meat," specifically stating: "I don't wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer." The recording was made by employee Robert Garza, who claims he was subsequently fired for reporting the inappropriate comments.
Company Responds with Investigation and Denials
Campbell's has taken swift action in response to the emerging scandal. The company confirmed that Martin Bally has been placed on temporary leave pending a thorough investigation into the allegations. In an official statement, the food giant completely rejected the claims about their ingredients.
"The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate, they are absurd," Campbell's stated emphatically. The company clarified that while it does use genetically modified crops like corn and soybean in some products, their chicken "comes from long-trusted" federally-approved suppliers and "meets our high quality standards."
Campbell's explicitly denied using any form of lab-grown or artificial meat in their soups, emphasizing: "We do not use lab-grown chicken or any form of artificial or bioengineered meat in our soups. We are proud of the food we make and the high-quality ingredients we use."
Additional Allegations and Broader Implications
The controversy extends beyond product quality concerns. According to the employee lawsuit, Bally also made racist remarks during the same conversation, allegedly calling Indian employees "idiots" and expressing his dislike for working with them. These additional allegations have compounded the seriousness of the situation for the company.
The Campbell's brand holds significant cultural importance, both in the United States and internationally. The company is particularly famous for its line of canned soups, which gained iconic status when artist Andy Warhol featured them in his famous series of paintings that became synonymous with his artistic legacy.
As the investigation continues, the food industry and consumers await further developments in this case that raises important questions about food quality, corporate accountability, and workplace ethics in major food manufacturing companies.
