28.11.2025
2 min
460
Campbell’s has publicly rejected allegations made by a recently fired executive who described the company’s soups as “bioengineered meat” and said he didn’t want to “eat chicken that came from a 3D printer.” The incident triggered public backlash, a lawsuit, and a state-level investigation.
The scandal erupted when a year-old audio recording surfaced as part of a lawsuit filed by Robert Garza, a cybersecurity analyst hired by Campbell’s in September 2024. In the recording, IT VP Martin Bally claims that Campbell’s soups contain “bioengineered meat” and makes derogatory remarks about colleagues and the company’s products.
Garza alleges that after reporting Bally’s behavior to his manager and attempting to escalate it to HR, he was “abruptly terminated” without explanation. His lawsuit cites emotional distress, humiliation, and both economic and non-economic damages.
In response, Campbell’s issued several statements stressing that the company does not use 3D-printed chicken, does not use lab-grown meat, and sources all chicken from long-trusted, USDA-approved US farms. The company stated that the comments in the recording are “false, offensive, and absurd,” confirmed that Bally is no longer employed, and emphasized that his statements do not reflect Campbell’s values.
The controversy comes at a time when lab-grown and 3D-printed food is becoming more mainstream. In 2020, KFC partnered with Russia’s 3D Bioprinting Solutions to experiment with 3D-printed nuggets. Following the leaked audio, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Consumer Protection Division is launching an investigation into the quality of Campbell’s meat.
The Campbell’s case highlights the sensitivity of consumer trust in the food industry. While interest in alternative protein technologies continues to grow, Campbell’s firmly rejects any association with lab-grown or printed meat and stands by its commitment to real, high-quality ingredients.
