Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Luncheon sausage, pork and beef
Parameters
- Sodium
- 1,180 mg
- Salt, derived
- 3.00 %
- Water
- 58.6 g
- Brine concentration
- 4.87 %
- Moisture-protein ratio
- 3.81 : 1
USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 174587. 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
= 1,180 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 3.000 g per 100 g
brine % = 100 x salt / (salt + water) [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
= 100 x 3.000 / (3.000 + 58.6) = 4.869 %
MPR = water % / protein % = 58.6 / 15.4 = 3.805 : 1Full composition, per 100 g
| Nutrient | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Total fat | 20.9 | g |
| Carbohydrate | 1.58 | g |
| Energy | 260.0 | kcal |
| Water | 58.6 | g |
| Calcium | 13.0 | mg |
| Potassium | 245.0 | mg |
| Cholesterol | 64.0 | mg |
| Saturated fat | 7.62 | g |
| Protein | 15.4 | g |
| Iron | 1.43 | mg |
| Sodium | 1,180.0 | mg |
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
- Luncheon meat, pork, canned
- Luncheon meat, pork, ham, and chicken, minced, canned, reduced sodium, added ascorbic acid, includes SPAM, 25% less sodium
- Meat spread or potted meat, NFS
- Mortadella
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, published 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2026-09-04.