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Sausages and Luncheon Meats

Pepperoni, beef and pork, sliced

Parameters

Sodium
1,580 mg
Salt, derived
4.02 %
Water
28.6 g
Brine concentration
12.31 %
Moisture-protein ratio
1.49 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 174575. 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
            = 1,580 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 4.016 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 4.016 / (4.016 + 28.6) = 12.314 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 28.6 / 19.2 = 1.490 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

NutrientValueUnit
Protein19.2g
Iron1.33mg
Sodium1,580.0mg
Cholesterol97.0mg
Saturated fat17.7g
Total fat46.3g
Carbohydrate1.18g
Energy504.0kcal
Calcium19.0mg
Potassium274.0mg
Water28.6g

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, SR Legacy, published 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2026-09-04.