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    311942 - Spice and Extract Manufacturing

    When it comes to the flavorful world of food preparation, NAICS Code 311942 plays a vital role behind the scenes. This code pertains to Spice and Extract Manufacturing, an industry essential for creating spices, extracts, and seasonings from natural products. These ingredients serve as the foundation for countless dishes worldwide, enhancing taste and enriching culinary experiences.

    What is NAICS Code 311942?

    NAICS Code 311942 represents establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing spices, extracts, and seasonings derived from natural sources. These products are used extensively as flavoring agents in both home cooking and commercial food processing. This code covers a diverse array of manufacturing operations producing everything from ground spices to natural food extracts.

    Sector Overview: Manufacturing

    This industry falls under the Manufacturing sector, which is focused on converting raw materials into finished goods through various processes. Specifically, businesses classified under NAICS 311942 specialize in:

    • Processing and grinding spices
    • Producing natural extracts and essences
    • Formulating seasoning blends and mixes
    • Manufacturing dry sauce, gravy, and salad dressing mixes
    • Creating food colorings of natural origin

    Typical Business Activities Under NAICS 311942

    Businesses operating within this category generally engage in:

    • Manufacture of spice blends and seasoning mixtures
    • Production and extraction of natural flavors and botanical essences
    • Processing, grinding, and packaging fresh or dried herbs and spices
    • Creating dry mixes for gravies, sauces, and dressings
    • Manufacturing table salt and salt substitutes

    Size Standards for NAICS 311942 Eligibility

    For government contracting and regulatory purposes, the size standard for NAICS Code 311942 is based on the number of employees. Typically, a business qualifies as a small business if it employs 650 or fewer employees. This benchmark helps determine eligibility for various small business programs and government contracts within the spice and extract manufacturing industry.

    Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 311942

    • Companies producing custom spice blends for the foodservice sector
    • Manufacturers extracting natural flavors from fruits, herbs, and spices
    • Facilities grinding and packaging pepper, chili powder, and other ground spices
    • Producers of dry seasoning mixes like gravy or salad dressings
    • Suppliers of natural food colorings derived from plant sources

    Detailed NAICS 311942 Code Breakdown

    Code Detail Description
    Cake frosting mixes manufacturing Production of dry cake frosting mixes
    Chili pepper or powder manufacturing Grinding and processing chili peppers and powders
    Extracts, food (except coffee, meat) manufacturing Producing food extracts excluding coffee and meat
    Extracts, malt, manufacturing Manufacturing malt extracts and syrups
    Flavor extracts (except coffee) manufacturing Production of flavor extracts from natural sources
    Food coloring, natural, manufacturing Creating natural food color preparations
    Food extracts (except coffee, meat) manufacturing Extracting food flavorings excluding coffee and meat
    Fruit extracts manufacturing Producing extracts derived from fruits
    Gravy mixes, dry, manufacturing Making dry gravy seasoning mixes
    Grinding spices Grinding spices into powders or ground forms
    Hop extract manufacturing Extracting hops for food flavoring or brewing
    Malt extract and syrups manufacturing Manufacturing malt-based extracts and syrups
    Pectin manufacturing Producing pectin used as thickening agents
    Pepper (i.e., spice) manufacturing Processing and grinding pepper
    Salad dressing mixes, dry, manufacturing Dry mixes for salad dressings
    Salt substitute manufacturing Production of salt alternatives
    Salt, table, manufacturing Manufacturing table salt
    Sauce mixes, dry, manufacturing Dry sauce seasoning mix production
    Seasoning salt manufacturing Producing salt blended with other seasonings
    Spice grinding and blending Grinding and combining different spices
    Spice mixtures manufacturing Creating spice blend products
    Spices and spice mix manufacturing Manufacturing spices and spice-based mixes
    Table salt manufacturing Producing table salt

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    What types of products are covered under NAICS 311942?

    NAICS 311942 covers the manufacturing of spices, seasoning blends, natural extracts, food colorings, dry sauce mixes, and other flavoring agents derived from natural products.

    Which sector does NAICS 311942 fall under?

    This NAICS code belongs to the Manufacturing sector, focused specifically on food-type flavoring production.

    How many employees must a business have to qualify as small under this code?

    The size standard is typically 650 employees or fewer.

    Can businesses making coffee extracts be classified under NAICS 311942?

    No. Coffee extracts manufacturing is excluded from this category. Products excluding coffee and meat are covered.

    What are some examples of businesses that fit into NAICS 311942?

    Examples include spice blend manufacturers, producers of natural food extracts, and companies packaging dried herbs and spices.


    In summary, NAICS Code 311942 is critical to the food manufacturing supply chain, enabling the production of essential spices and extracts that flavor foods globally. Whether youโ€™re a business owner looking to classify your operation or a contractor seeking partners, understanding this code is essential for navigating the spice and extract manufacturing industry.