Cold cuts and cured meats
Head cheese
Parameters
- Sodium
- 941 mg
- Salt, derived
- 2.39 %
- Water
- 73.8 g
- Brine concentration
- 3.14 %
- Moisture-protein ratio
- 5.34 : 1
USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), FDC ID 2706180. 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
= 941 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 2.392 g per 100 g
brine % = 100 x salt / (salt + water) [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
= 100 x 2.392 / (2.392 + 73.8) = 3.138 %
MPR = water % / protein % = 73.8 / 13.8 = 5.339 : 1Full composition, per 100 g
| Nutrient | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 13.8 | g |
| Total fat | 10.9 | g |
| Carbohydrate | 0.00 | g |
| Energy | 157.0 | kcal |
| Water | 73.8 | g |
| Calcium | 16.0 | mg |
| Iron | 1.50 | mg |
| Potassium | 31.0 | mg |
| Sodium | 941.0 | mg |
| Cholesterol | 69.0 | mg |
| Saturated fat | 3.40 | g |
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
- Ham, smoked, extra lean, low sodium
- Ham, turkey, sliced, extra lean, prepackaged or deli
- Honey roll sausage, beef
- HORMEL Canadian Style Bacon
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), published 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2026-09-04.