Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Pastrami, beef, 98% fat-free
Parameters
- Sodium
- 1,010 mg
- Salt, derived
- 2.57 %
- Water
- 74.3 g
- Brine concentration
- 3.34 %
- Moisture-protein ratio
- 3.79 : 1
USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 172959. 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
= 1,010 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 2.567 g per 100 g
brine % = 100 x salt / (salt + water) [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
= 100 x 2.567 / (2.567 + 74.3) = 3.340 %
MPR = water % / protein % = 74.3 / 19.6 = 3.791 : 1Full composition, per 100 g
| Nutrient | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 19.6 | g |
| Iron | 2.78 | mg |
| Sodium | 1,010.0 | mg |
| Cholesterol | 47.0 | mg |
| Saturated fat | 0.00 | g |
| Total fat | 1.16 | g |
| Carbohydrate | 1.54 | g |
| Energy | 95.0 | kcal |
| Water | 74.3 | g |
| Calcium | 9.00 | mg |
| Potassium | 228.0 | 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
- Oscar Mayer, Salami (hard)
- Oscar Mayer, Smokies Sausage Little Cheese (pork, turkey)
- Pastrami, made from any kind of meat, reduced fat
- Pastrami, NFS
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, published 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2026-09-04.