Campbell’s is back in the headlines after admitting to illegally releasing wastewater into a major US river, raising concerns about its environmental practices.
The New Jersey-based food giant confirmed that its Napoleon, Ohio, canning plant discharged wastewater more than 5,400 times between April 2018 and December 2024, in violation of federal water pollution laws.
Environmental groups had already filed a lawsuit in March 2024, claiming the company repeatedly exceeded legal limits on pollutants entering the Maumee River, which eventually flows into Lake Erie.
While Campbell’s hasn’t admitted the discharges caused harm, a trial in 2026 will decide penalties and any cleanup obligations.
Lawsuit Highlights Clean Water Act Violations
The legal challenge focuses on Campbell’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which sets strict limits on various substances.
According to the lawsuit, the company repeatedly exceeded levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia, E. coli, oil and grease, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, CBOD, chlorine, and pH, all in breach of the Clean Water Act.
Campbell’s spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to compliance, saying they have implemented measures to improve operations.
“We have been part of the Napoleon community since 1938,” the statement read, “and our goal is to reach a settlement that benefits both the environment and the people living there.”
Ex-Employee Raises New Controversy About Soup Ingredients
Adding fuel to the fire, former employee Robert Garza revealed this week that he secretly recorded a Campbell’s executive allegedly claiming the company’s soups contain “bioengineered meat.”
In the recording, Martin Bally, vice-president and chief information security officer, reportedly says, “I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer.”
Campbell’s firmly denied the claim, insisting that all poultry in their soups comes from USDA-approved suppliers and complies with strict standards, including “No Antibiotics Ever” protocols.
Following the audio leak, Bally was terminated, and Garza filed a lawsuit alleging he was fired after raising concerns about the remarks.
What Bioengineered Meat Really Means
Bioengineered meat, also known as cultured, lab-grown, or cell-based meat, is real animal meat grown from cells in a lab rather than harvested from live animals.
The process involves cultivating animal cells in nutrient-rich solutions within bioreactors, forming muscle and fat tissue into edible products.
While legal for sale in the US, such products must be labeled.
Campbell’s maintains that its soups do not contain any bioengineered meat, though it has confirmed that some plant-based ingredients, like canola, corn, soybean, and sugar beet, are grown from genetically modified seeds.
Allegations of Poor Workplace Culture
The leaked audio did more than mention lab-grown meat.
The speaker allegedly criticized the quality of Campbell’s products, saying, “Who buys our s**t? I don’t buy Campbell’s barely anymore.
It’s not healthy now that I know what’s in it.”
Campbell’s responded by distancing the executive’s comments from its operations, highlighting that Bally was an IT executive with no involvement in food production.
The company labeled the remarks as “patently absurd” and unacceptable,” stressing they do not reflect Campbell’s values or culture.
Environmental Concerns Persist
Environmental advocates point to Campbell’s role in contributing to harmful algae blooms in the Maumee River, claiming that these incidents occurred for 428 days between 2018 and 2022.
While Campbell’s admits to exceeding wastewater limits, it argues the facility caused minimal, if any, harm to the river or Lake Erie.
The situation paints a complicated picture: a company with decades of local roots grappling with environmental compliance, internal controversies, and public scrutiny over product integrity.
Looking Ahead
With a trial scheduled for 2026, Campbell’s faces potential legal and financial consequences.
Meanwhile, the fallout from Garza’s recording continues to shape public perception.
The company insists it will uphold safety standards and maintain transparency about its ingredients, even as questions about environmental impact and corporate culture linger.
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