311423 - Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing
Introduction
In the vast landscape of the manufacturing sector, NAICS Code 311423 stands out as a vital classification for businesses specializing in drying and dehydrating food products. Whether it’s dried fruits, dehydrated vegetables, or instant soup mixes, this industry plays a crucial role in offering convenient, long-lasting food options worldwide. Understanding this code is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors looking to navigate government contracting, compliance, or market research in the dried and dehydrated food manufacturing space.
What is NAICS Code 311423?
NAICS Code 311423 refers to the Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing industry. This classification encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the manufacturing processes that remove moisture from food items to extend their shelf life and reduce transportation weight. Dehydrating food preserves nutrients and flavor while enabling easier storage and shipment.
Key Aspects of NAICS 311423 Include:
- Manufacturing dried and dehydrated fruits and vegetables
- Producing soup mixes and sauce mixes in dehydrated forms
- Creating various dried food products like freeze-dried fruits or potato flakes
- Utilizing dehydration, freeze-drying, artificial drying, and sulphuring processes
Sector Overview
Sector: Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector under NAICS 311423 deals exclusively with food products that have undergone drying or dehydration. This industry supports other sectors such as retail food, food service, and export markets by providing essential raw and processed materials.
Typical Business Activities:
- Drying fruits such as dates, prunes, raisins, grapes, and olives
- Dehydrating vegetables and potato products (flakes, granules)
- Producing bouillon cubes from dehydrated ingredients
- Manufacturing dry soup, salad dressing, sauce, and noodle mixes
- Processing freeze-dried fruits and vegetables
Size Standards for Eligibility
For small business eligibility under government contracts, the Size Standard for NAICS Code 311423 is typically:
- 750 employees or fewer
This size standard helps define which businesses qualify as small entities for SBA programs and federal contracting opportunities.
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 311423
Businesses that commonly fall under this NAICS code include:
- Dried fruit producers
- Dehydrated vegetable manufacturers
- Instant soup mix producers
- Freeze-dried food processors
- Potato flake and granule manufacturers
Detailed Code Description Table
| Code Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Bouillon made in dehydration plants | Manufacturing dehydrated bouillon and broth cubes |
| Dates, dried, made in dehydration plants | Processing dried dates through dehydration methods |
| Dehydrating fruits and vegetables | Removing moisture from various fruits and vegetables |
| Dehydrating potato products (flakes, granules) | Producing dried potato flakes and granules |
| Freeze-dried food processing, fruits and vegetables | Freeze-drying methods applied to fruits and vegetables |
| Fruit and vegetables, dehydrating, manufacturing | General production of dried fruits and vegetables |
| Fruits dehydrating (except sun drying) | Dehydration excluding sun drying processes |
| Grapes, artificially drying | Artificial drying methods used specifically for grapes |
| Noodle mixes made in dehydration plants | Producing dried noodle mix products |
| Olives, dried, made in dehydration plants | Drying olives using dehydration processes |
| Potato products (flakes, granules) dehydrating | Detailed dehydration processes for potato-based products |
| Prunes, dried, made in dehydration plants | Processing prunes through drying and dehydration |
| Raisins made in dehydration plants | Manufacturing raisins with artificial drying |
| Rice mixes (uncooked & packaged with other ingredients) | Making dry rice mixes with other ingredients |
| Salad dressing mixes, dry, made in dehydration plants | Dry salad dressing mixtures production |
| Sauce mixes, dry, made in dehydration plants | Production of dry sauce mixes |
| Soup mixes made in dehydration plants | Manufacturing dehydrated soup mixtures |
| Sulphured fruits and vegetables manufacturing | Processing fruits/vegetables with sulphuring techniques |
| Vegetables dehydrating | General vegetable dehydration manufacturing |
FAQ
What products are included in NAICS 311423?
This code includes dried and dehydrated fruits, vegetables, potato flakes, soups, sauces, bouillons, salad dressings, noodle mixes, and other food items processed to remove moisture.
Who uses NAICS 311423?
Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and government agencies involved in food production, safety inspections, regulatory compliance, and contracting use this classification.
What is the importance of the size standard?
The size standard (750 employees) determines eligibility for small business contracts and programs in the manufacturing sector.
Can sun-dried fruits manufacturers fall under this code?
No, this code excludes sun drying; it focuses on mechanical drying, dehydration, and freeze-drying methods.
How does drying benefit food products?
Drying extends shelf life, reduces transportation weight, prevents spoilage, and maintains nutritional quality.
Understanding NAICS Code 311423 is critical for businesses and professionals involved in dried and dehydrated food manufacturing. This niche yet essential industry supports food sustainability and convenience globally, making it a strategic area for growth and contracting opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
