It’s not the launch codes for nuclear missiles, and it’s not the secret formula for Coca Cola, but a former vice president for Duke Foods has allegedly committed theft of just as vital proportions.
A new lawsuit claims that Wyatt Howard, the former VP of sales for Duke Foods, snuck away with the secret recipes for Duke’s famous mayonnaise, along with other trade secrets related to pricing and food formulas.
The theft allegedly occurred after the company fired him back in May.
Now Howard works for Knott’s Foods, a competitor of Duke Foods. According to the lawsuit, thanks to the secret formala Howard downloaded onto his laptop, Knott’s Foods is trying to replicate Duke’s mayo and other food items in an attempt to gain ground on the company’s sales.
Duke is trying to force the company to stop using its trade secrets, and the company also wants damages for the theft.
Duke’s Mayo is widely known for being the second best mayonnaise in the country, after Hellman’s – relax, I’m just kidding.
