Cold cuts and cured meats
Luncheon meat, loaf type
Parameters
- Sodium
- 1,040 mg
- Salt, derived
- 2.64 %
- Water
- 60.3 g
- Brine concentration
- 4.20 %
- Moisture-protein ratio
- 5.37 : 1
USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), FDC ID 2706214. 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
= 1,040 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 2.644 g per 100 g
brine % = 100 x salt / (salt + water) [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
= 100 x 2.644 / (2.644 + 60.3) = 4.201 %
MPR = water % / protein % = 60.3 / 11.2 = 5.369 : 1Full composition, per 100 g
| Nutrient | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 11.2 | g |
| Total fat | 16.0 | g |
| Carbohydrate | 8.46 | g |
| Energy | 225.0 | kcal |
| Water | 60.3 | g |
| Calcium | 109.0 | mg |
| Iron | 1.33 | mg |
| Potassium | 371.0 | mg |
| Sodium | 1,040.0 | mg |
| Cholesterol | 58.0 | mg |
| Saturated fat | 5.29 | 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
- Liverwurst
- Liverwurst spread
- Luncheon meat, NFS
- Luncheon meat, pork and chicken, minced, canned, includes Spam Lite
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Survey (FNDDS), published 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2026-09-04.