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Sausages and Luncheon Meats

Beef, chopped, cured, smoked

Parameters

Sodium
1,260 mg
Salt, derived
3.20 %
Water
68.9 g
Brine concentration
4.44 %
Moisture-protein ratio
3.41 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 170607. 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
            = 1,260 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 3.203 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 3.203 / (3.203 + 68.9) = 4.442 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 68.9 / 20.2 = 3.411 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

NutrientValueUnit
Energy133.0kcal
Protein20.2g
Iron2.85mg
Sodium1,260.0mg
Cholesterol46.0mg
Saturated fat1.81g
Water68.9g
Calcium8.00mg
Potassium377.0mg
Total fat4.42g
Carbohydrate1.86g

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, SR Legacy, published 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2026-09-04.