curedmeat.com

curedmeat.com / Composition

Sausages and Luncheon Meats

Sausage, New england brand, pork, beef

Parameters

Sodium
1,220 mg
Salt, derived
3.10 %
Water
66.8 g
Brine concentration
4.44 %
Moisture-protein ratio
3.86 : 1

USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC ID 174588. 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
            = 1,220 / 1000 x 2.5420 = 3.101 g per 100 g
brine %     = 100 x salt / (salt + water)     [FSIS-GD-2016-0002]
            = 100 x 3.101 / (3.101 + 66.8) = 4.437 %
MPR         = water % / protein % = 66.8 / 17.3 = 3.861 : 1

Full composition, per 100 g

NutrientValueUnit
Protein17.3g
Cholesterol49.0mg
Saturated fat2.56g
Iron0.94mg
Sodium1,220.0mg
Total fat7.58g
Carbohydrate4.83g
Energy161.0kcal
Water66.8g
Calcium7.00mg
Potassium321.0mg

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.