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Cold cuts and cured meats

Ham, prepackaged or deli, luncheon meat, reduced sodium

Parameters

Sodium
660 mg
Salt, derived
1.68 %
Water
75.7 g
Brine concentration
2.17 %
Moisture-protein ratio
4.53 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), FDC ID 2706207. 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
            = 660 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 1.678 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 1.678 / (1.678 + 75.7) = 2.168 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 75.7 / 16.7 = 4.533 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

NutrientValueUnit
Protein16.7g
Total fat3.73g
Carbohydrate0.27g
Energy101.0kcal
Water75.7g
Calcium5.00mg
Iron0.58mg
Potassium425.0mg
Sodium660.0mg
Cholesterol41.0mg
Saturated fat1.12g

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.