Ah, the age-old question; what is the meat in that special can of SPAM® Classic? Many myths abound, but the answer is actually quite simple.
PORK WITH HAM
SALT
WATER
POTATO STARCH
SUGAR
ADDITIVES*
At first glance, one might assume SPAM® products are produced through magic. But it’s actually a relatively simple, conventional process.
Whatever you may hear, no ‘scrapings’ or ‘useless bits’ of pork or ham have ever found their way into SPAM® products. High quality pork shoulder meat and ham (actually hand cut off the bone) are ground together with water, a little sugar, salt and spice to be cooked in the can to seal in the goodness.
Spam products contain nitrites, ingredients found in the majority, if not all ham, bacon, sausage, pork pies and other meat products. It is a common preservative that serves as an added protection against spoilage and also helps the meat retain its attractive pink colour.
*Very small amounts of additives are added in the form of stabilizers, preservatives and colours.
Hormel Foods introduces SPAM® luncheon meat. Ken Daigneau, brother of a Hormel Foods vice president, wins a contest–and $100–for naming the SPAM® brand.
More than 100 million pounds of SPAM® luncheon meat are shipped abroad to feed allied troops during WWII.
"The Hormel Girls," a 60 member performing troupe, toured cities across America to generate awareness for SPAM® Classic & other HORMEL® products.
The one-billionth can of SPAM® Classic produced.
A 7-ounce size SPAM® Classic introduced.
The two-billionth can of SPAM® products produced. SPAM® Classic makes its TV debut in Monty Python's Flying Circus.
SPAM® Hickory Smoke Flavored and SPAM® with Cheese introduced.
The three-billionth can of SPAM® products produced.
SPAM® Less Sodium introduced.
The first SPAM® Museum opened at Oak Park Mall (Austin, Minn.) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hormel Foods.
SPAM® Lite containing 25% less fat and 25% less sodium than SPAM® Classic introduced. The SPAMBURGER™ Hamburger is introduced via advertising campaigns.
The five-billionth can of SPAM® products produced.
Sponsored No. 9 SPAM® race car on NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
SPAM® packaging donated to the Smithsonian.
SPAM® Hot & Spicy introduced.
SPAM® Museum opens at the Hormel Foods Corporate Office (Austin, Minn.)
SPAM® with Real HORMEL® Bacon and SPAM® Single Classic introduced.
The seven-billionth can of SPAM® products produced.
SPAM® Teriyaki and SPAM® Jalapeño introduced. The eight-billionth can of SPAM® products produced. The SPAM® Family of Products celebrates its 75th anniversary. The SPAM® brand introduces the SIR-CAN-A-LOT® character, its first ever spokes-character.
SPAM® with Tocino Seasoning introduced.
The SPAMERICAN!™ Tour set out across the country celebrating creative eats, beats and crafty treats. SPAM® with Portuguese Sausage Seasoning introduced, inspired by the Hawaiian Islands.
The brand new SPAM® Museum opens in downtown Austin, Minn.
SPAM® brand turns 80.
SPAM® brand and Marcus Mariota at Super Bowl.
Launch of SPAM® Pumpkin Spice.