Pork Products

Pork, cured, ham and water product, whole, boneless, separable lean only, heated, roasted

Parameters

Sodium: 1,340 mg
Salt, derived: 3.41 %
Water: 72.1 g
Brine concentration: 4.51 %
Moisture-protein ratio: 5.19 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 168327. 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
            = 1,340 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 3.406 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 3.406 / (3.406 + 72.1) = 4.511 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 72.1 / 13.9 = 5.187 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

Nutrient	Value	Unit
Total fat	5.46	g
Water	72.1	g
Calcium	8.00	mg
Potassium	245.0	mg
Protein	13.9	g
Sodium	1,340.0	mg
Iron	0.74	mg
Cholesterol	43.0	mg
Energy	123.0	kcal
Saturated fat	1.84	g
Carbohydrate	4.61	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.