Spam

What it is

Spam (stylized in all caps) is a brand of lunch meat (processed canned pork and ham) made by Hormel Foods Corporation, an American multinational food processing company. It was introduced in the United States in 1937 and gained popularity worldwide after its use during World War II. As of July 5, 2022, Spam is sold in 48 countries, and trademarked in more than 100 countries, on 6 continents. Spam's main ingredient is a mixture of pork and ham, with salt, water, modified potato starch (as a binder), sugar, and sodium nitrite (as a preservative).

Key facts

What it is

brand source

Made by

Hormel source

Country of origin

United States source

Made from

Boston butt, table salt, sugar source

In the maker's own words

Enjoy the best canned meat meals using easy recipes and a variety of delicious, high-quality SPAM meat. See what SPAM Brand can do!

Origin and history

Hormel introduced Spam on July 5, 1937. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America states that the product was intended to increase the sale of pork shoulder, a cut which did not sell well. That same year, Ken Daigneau, the brother of a company executive, won a competition to name the new item and received US$100 (equivalent to $2,240 in 2025).

How it is made

The official Spam website lists numerous different flavors of Spam products. Most varieties are permanent, but some others are limited time only. In addition to the variety of flavors, Spam is sold in seven-ounce (198.447 g) tins smaller than the standard twelve-ounce (340 g) size.

Fun facts

From 1940 to 1941, Spam sponsored George Burns and Gracie Allen on their radio program. During World War II, Spam was not only eaten but was also incorporated into many other aspects of the war (grease for guns, cans for scrap metal, etc.); it was so prominent that Uncle Sam was nicknamed "Uncle Spam". Other terms influenced by the product's name include the European invasion fleet or the "Spam Fleet". Spam is the subject of the "Weird Al" Yankovic song "Spam", which is a parody of the R.E.M. song "Stand". Other offshoots of Spam in popular culture include a book of haikus about Spam titled Spam-Ku: Tranquil Reflections on Luncheon Loaf. There is also a mock Church of Spam and a Spam Cam, which is a webcam trained on a can of decaying Spam.