Smithfield Foods is dropping Paula Deen as a spokesperson for the company. The announcement came days after the Food Network said it would not renew the cook’s contract because of racial slurs she confessed to using in the past.
In a statement, Smithfield said it “condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind. Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen.”
QVC is also reviewing its deal with Paula Deen Enterprises to sell her cookbooks and cookware. Other companies such as Sears Holding Corporation and Target Corporation are taking a wait-and-see approach to their deals with the celebrity cook.
Senior vice president of The Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association Marty Brochstein said stores will most likely monitor the sales of Deen’s merchandise and closely watch social media to gauge how consumers are responding.
