Looks liek Smithfield ham is going down since Paula Deen took over.

I checked my Smithfield hams at the grocer. They are advertised
this week as Smithfield Premium Hams, whole or shank portion,
$1.47#. But what's in the case is a "Water Added" ham (which I
believe means 7-13% water - it doesn't say on the label).

I plan to bring it up with Smithfield and the grocer as to why they
are not the usual "premium" hams. Looks like Smithfield pulled a
switcheroo. Which is why they don't list these hams on their
website - it's easy to screw over the consumer at the last minute.

The "Premium" hams are "In Natural Juices". These on sale, while
still "Hardwood Smoked, Ready To Cook" hams, are not "no water
added" Premium hams.

And BTW Kent: Stop calling them "raw" hams. That is an oxymoron
unless they are minimally processed legs of pork (no additives, no
water, no flavorings, no smoking - just raw pork). Pink hams are
partially cooked by the smoking (or other heating) process, but
they are not considered fully cooked.

And believe it or not, just adding nitr[ia]tes to pork does NOT
make them pink until you [partially] cook them. Curing pork in
nitrites does *NOT* make them pink until they are subjected to
heat. And everybody who cures pork knows this. You, OTOH, don't.

I will never answer any more questions from Kent about these hams.
I still reserve the right to call him an idiot and a troll.


-sw