Dive Summary:
- Smithfield Foods has terminated its endorsement deal with Paula Deen in light of her admission she has used the N-word.
- In an email, Keira Lombardo, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications, said, "Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind. Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen. Smithfield is determined to be an ethical food industry leader and it is important that our values and those of our spokespeople are properly aligned."
- Paula Deen, an icon of Southern "comfort" cooking who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year, recently had her TV show dropped by the Food Network due to the controversial remarks.
From the article:
Smithfield Foods is $7.1 billion food company, as valued during a merger last month with Shuanghui International. According to their press materials, Smithfield is "the world's largest pork processor and hog producer." Deen had worked with Smithfield since September of 2006.
The Food Network fired Deen late last week after transcripts for a now-infamous deposition was leaked. Paula Deen specifically promoted (and threw) Smithfield Hams.