DOWNERS GROVE, ILL. — Sara Lee Corp. intends to split its business into two separate companies that will focus on its core businesses of coffee and processed meats, according to a story originally reported in the Wall Street Journal. Sara Lee would not comment on the story, but has been in the process of selling off non-core assets such as its fresh baking business to Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de CV in November.

The story follows a report this past month that Sara Lee and the Brazilian meat processor JBS S.A. were in discussions to merge.

Processed meat brands owned by the company include Ball Park, Hillshire Farm and Jimmy Dean. Coffee brands within the company’s portfolio include Pickwick and others.