In this study, relatively high initial headspace oxygen levels were used for packaging of the hamwith a product/headspace ratio of 1/3.2. Nevertheless, previous studies have shown that a fast discoloration of ham also happens at lower oxygen concentrations of 0.5 vol.% with a product/headspace ratio of approximately 1/3 (Böhner et al., 2014; Møller et al., 2000) or even at 0.1 vol.% at a product/headspace ratio of about 1/5 (Møller et al., 2003).