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Bacon

Bacon, NS as to type of meat, cooked

Parameters

Sodium
1,757 mg
Salt, derived
4.47 %
Water
18.9 g
Brine concentration
19.10 %
Moisture-protein ratio
0.51 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), FDC ID 2705885. All values are per 100 g of the food as described. Retrieved 2026-09-04. Source record

How the derived figures were obtained

salt %      = sodium mg / 1000 x 2.5420 / 100 x 100
            = 1,757 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 4.466 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 4.466 / (4.466 + 18.9) = 19.098 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 18.9 / 37.4 = 0.506 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

NutrientValueUnit
Protein37.4g
Total fat35.8g
Carbohydrate1.90g
Energy484.0kcal
Water18.9g
Calcium12.0mg
Iron1.12mg
Potassium528.0mg
Sodium1,757.0mg
Cholesterol99.0mg
Saturated fat12.3g

What these figures do and do not say

The brine concentration above is computed from this food's own sodium and water using the FSIS formula, 100 x salt / (salt + water). It is a description of a finished commercial product, not a target. FSIS cites 10 percent brine after equalisation as the figure that prevents Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin production during warm drying, and 9 CFR 319.106(b)(4) requires not less than 10 percent for a dry cured ham made without nitrate or nitrite.

Water activity cannot be computed from composition. It is a measurement, and it is the measurement that decides shelf stability. The published limits are 0.85 in air and 0.91 vacuum packed, both from FSIS-GD-2014-0010.

Nearby entries

Source: USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), published 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2026-09-04.