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Sausages and Luncheon Meats

Frankfurter, beef, unheated

Parameters

Sodium
865 mg
Salt, derived
2.20 %
Water
54.5 g
Brine concentration
3.88 %
Moisture-protein ratio
4.66 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 173862. 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
            = 865 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 2.199 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 2.199 / (2.199 + 54.5) = 3.878 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 54.5 / 11.7 = 4.658 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

NutrientValueUnit
Total fat28.1g
Carbohydrate2.97g
Energy315.0kcal
Calcium14.0mg
Potassium364.0mg
Water54.5g
Cholesterol58.0mg
Saturated fat11.5g
Protein11.7g
Iron1.12mg
Sodium865.0mg

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.