What Is SPAM?
Created by Hormel Foods Corporation in 1937, SPAM became a global favorite
during World War II, when affordable, long-lasting meat was in high demand.
The canned product’s name has long been debated—some say it
stands for “Shoulder of Pork and Ham,” while others claim “Specially Processed American Meat” or “Spiced Ham.”
According to Time, the name was coined by Ken Daigneau, who won $100 for suggesting “SPAM” as a blend of “spiced” and “ham.”
Company founder Jay Hormel later said, “I knew then and there that the name was perfect.”
What’s in It?
SPAM’s ingredients are simple: pork, water, salt, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate.
As Hormel explains, it “helped fill a huge need for inexpensive meat products” during the Great Depression and beyond.
How It’s Made
Ground pork and ham are mixed for 20 minutes, canned, vacuum-sealed, cooked, cooled for three hours, and labeled—ready for shelves worldwide.
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