Novartis rep: There's no deal with Paula Deen

(CBS)  Novartis has no connection with chef Paula Deen and  no plans to use her as its spokesperson, a spokesperson for the drug maker said Friday.

Earlier Friday, a report out of The Daily surfaced, citing a source who said Deen had inked a deal to become a spokesperson for a Novartis drug used to treat diabetes and an announcement  was  expected.

"The rumors that Novartis has signed a multi-million dollar spokesperson deal with Paula Deen for a diabetes treatment are not true," a Novartis rep told CBSNews.com. "Novartis is not working with Ms. Deen."

As of press time, there's still no word from Deen herself, but among the latest recipes on her website are a few on the healthier side, including a "lighter hash brown quiche."