Paula Deen’s empire continues to crumble

Smithfield Foods is terminating its contract with Paula Deen.

Paula Deen began working with Smithfield Foods in 2006 as a spokesman. The company sold Deen’s hams.

Smithfield Foods is the second company to sever ties with Paula Deen. The Food Network was the first company to cancel its contract with Deen.

“[Smithfield Foods] condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind. Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen," the company told CBS News .

QVC may follow suit.

“QVC does not tolerate discriminatory behavior…We are reviewing our business relationship with Ms. Deen, and in the meantime, we have no immediate plans to have her appear on QVC,” QVC Vice President Paul Capelli told the Today show.

The controversy began last month when Deen gave a deposition in a pending lawsuit against her. In the deposition, she admitted using racial slurs in the past. She also admitted to planning a “plantation”-themed wedding for her brother in 2007.