Goya Foods, a US-based Hispanic foods supplier, has reportedly banned its CEO Robert Unanue from making public speeches in the media following his controversial remarks over the presidential election.
The New York Post said it had learnt from sources Goya’s nine-member board had agreed to silence Unanue, a supporter of Donald Trump, after he called the election of President Joe Biden “unverified” during a televised appearance on Fox Business News on 20 January in the wake of the invasion of the US Capitol building by pro-Trump followers.
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Unanue must now obtain board permission before making any more media appearances, The New York Post’s sources claim.
“Bob does not speak for Goya Foods when he speaks on TV,” Goya board and family member Andy Unanue told the newspaper, adding: “The family has diverse views on politics, but politics is not part of our business. Our political point of views are irrelevant.”
Meanwhile, the CEO, while declining to comment on the vote of silence, told the Post he was having “second thoughts about publicising his political views”.
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By GlobalDataBack in July, the CEO was also the subject of controversy when he praised Trump, saying "we're all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder".
Those comments prompted a call for a boycott of Goya, including from politicians, celebrities and consumers.
New Jersey-based Goya is present in a number of categories in the Hispanic food segment, including beans, grains and rice, dairy, confectionery, meat and seafood, sauces, snacks and cookies.
