311520 - Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing

The frozen dessert industry is a vibrant and ever-evolving sector of the American food manufacturing landscape. If you're involved in producing ice cream, frozen yogurt, or similar treats, NAICS code 311520 is essential for classifying your business for government contracting, regulatory, or market research purposes. Understanding this code unlocks opportunities and insights specific to the Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing industry.

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What is NAICS Code 311520?

NAICS code 311520 covers establishments primarily engaged in the manufacturing of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and other frozen desserts. These frozen delights are mainly made from dairy products along with other ingredients and are sold through retailers, food service establishments, or directly to consumers.

Core Industry Description

• Manufacturing ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and other nondairy frozen desserts
• Creating custards, frozen fruit pops, pudding pops, and other specialty frozen treats
• Products are sold wholesale, retail, or through food service providers

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Sector: Food Manufacturing

This industry falls under the Food Manufacturing sector, encompassing a broad range of food product manufacturing operations including dairy and frozen goods.

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Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 311520

Businesses classified under this code generally engage in:

• Ice cream production plants
• Frozen yogurt manufacturing
• Sherbet, sorbet, and flavored ices manufacturing
• Custard and frozen custard production
• Dairy and nondairy frozen desserts manufacturing

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Size Standards for NAICS 311520

The size standard for eligibility under NAICS code 311520 is typically 1,000 employees. This means that businesses with 1,000 employees or fewer are generally considered small businesses under this classification, which can impact government contracting opportunities and compliance requirements.

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Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 311520

• Regional and national ice cream manufacturers
• Producers of frozen yogurt and sorbets
• Specialty frozen dessert innovators focusing on nondairy alternatives
• Frozen custard stands with manufacturing capabilities
• Fruit pop and pudding pop production companies

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Detailed NAICS Code 311520 Classification Table

Code Detail	Description
Custard, frozen, manufacturing	Production of frozen custards
Desserts, frozen (except bakery), manufacturing	Manufacturing various frozen dessert items excluding bakery products
Frozen custard manufacturing	Making frozen custard products
Frozen dairy product substitutes manufacturing	Production of nondairy frozen dessert substitutes
Frozen desserts (except bakery) manufacturing	Production of frozen desserts other than bakery items
Fruit pops, frozen, manufacturing	Manufacturing frozen fruit pops
Ice cream manufacturing	General ice cream production
Ice cream specialties manufacturing	Specialized ice cream varieties production
Ice milk manufacturing	Production of ice milk desserts
Ice milk specialties manufacturing	Specialized ice milk products
Ices, flavored sherbets, manufacturing	Manufacturing flavored ices and sherbets
Juice pops, frozen, manufacturing	Production of frozen juice pops
Nondairy frozen desserts (except bakery) manufacturing	Nondairy frozen dessert production excluding bakery items
Nondairy frozen yogurt manufacturing	Production of nondairy frozen yogurt
Nondairy ice cream manufacturing	Production of nondairy ice cream alternatives
Pudding pops, frozen, manufacturing	Producing frozen pudding pops
Sherbets manufacturing	Manufacturing sherbets
Tofu frozen desserts manufacturing	Manufacturing frozen desserts made from tofu
Yogurt, frozen, manufacturing	Frozen yogurt production

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What products are included under NAICS 311520?

NAICS 311520 includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, custard, fruit pops, pudding pops, and other dairy or nondairy frozen desserts.

Who typically uses NAICS code 311520?

Ice cream manufacturers, frozen yogurt production facilities, sherbet and sorbet producers, and companies making nondairy frozen desserts typically fall under this code.

What is the small business size standard for NAICS 311520?

A business with 1,000 or fewer employees is generally considered small under this NAICS code.

Can nondairy frozen products be included in NAICS 311520?

Yes, nondairy frozen desserts such as nondairy ice creams, yogurts, and tofu-based frozen treats are classified under NAICS 311520.

How does NAICS code 311520 impact government contracting?

This code helps classify businesses for contracts, eligibility, and compliance in government procurement, making it crucial for businesses seeking federal food manufacturing contracts.

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Conclusion

NAICS code 311520 is a critical identifier for manufacturers in the frozen dessert industry. Whether you’re producing traditional ice cream, dairy-free alternatives, or specialty frozen treats, understanding this code can help you align with industry standards, access government contracts, and optimize your business classification for growth and opportunity.

Explore the potential that NAICS 311520 provides and position your frozen dessert manufacturing business for success today!

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Keywords: NAICS code 311520, ice cream manufacturing, frozen dessert manufacturing, frozen yogurt production, sherbet manufacturing, frozen custard, food manufacturing NAICS, frozen dessert industry