A vice president at Campbell Soup Company reportedly told a colleague that the company’s meals were “for poor people” and criticized the use of “bioengineered meat … chicken from a 3-D printer,” according to a lawsuit filed in Michigan.
The former employee who brought the suit says he secretly recorded the executive during what was supposed to be a routine salary discussion. The recording allegedly captures more than an hour of remarks including disparaging comments about the company’s ingredients, customers and Indian coworkers — and even admissions of work attendance under the influence of marijuana edibles.
After reporting the behavior to leadership in January 2025, the employee claims he was terminated just 20 days later despite no prior performance issues. He is suing Campbell’s and the executive, alleging wrongful termination and a racially hostile work environment.
Campbell’s responded to the lawsuit by stating the recorded remarks, if accurate, do not reflect the company’s values and that an internal investigation is underway.