This delicious American icon and global brand launched in 1937 as “the meat of many uses,” and American households quickly ate it up. By 1940, 70 percent of urban Americans were eating SPAM® products. But it was the arrival of World War II, and the need for easily transported protein, that fueled the SPAM® brand’s incredible growth around the world. Today, with over a dozen varieties sold in more than 40 countries, this 80-year-old brand continues to ignite invention all over the world.
There is an age-old question though: What is in that special can of SPAM® classic?
Many myths abound, but the answer is actually quite simple: six simple ingredients.
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Pork with Ham
Two cuts of the pig, one perfectly tender and juicy flavor
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Salt
If you’ve eaten today, there’s a good chance you’ve had it
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Potato Starch
This helps keep moisture inside the meat, where it belongs
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Water
You may be familiar with its appearances in lakes and faucets
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Sodium Nitrite
Used to uphold the meat’s high standard of quality
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Sugar
The real deal, not imitation syrups
This article was featured in Issue VI of Inside Hormel Foods magazine. Click here to explore these unique collections of thought-provoking and heartwarming stories, recipes and features on our employees and the different areas of our company, all packaged up in a beautifully designed digital viewer for you.