Pork Products

Pork, cured, ham and water product, whole, boneless, separable lean and fat, unheated

Parameters

Sodium: 1,310 mg
Salt, derived: 3.33 %
Water: 73.0 g
Brine concentration: 4.36 %
Moisture-protein ratio: 5.21 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 169160. 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
            = 1,310 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 3.330 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 3.330 / (3.330 + 73.0) = 4.363 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 73.0 / 14.0 = 5.214 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

Nutrient	Value	Unit
Energy	117.0	kcal
Water	73.0	g
Total fat	4.99	g
Calcium	8.00	mg
Potassium	267.0	mg
Protein	14.0	g
Iron	0.78	mg
Sodium	1,310.0	mg
Saturated fat	1.49	g
Cholesterol	43.0	mg
Carbohydrate	4.21	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

Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, published 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2026-09-04.