311999 - All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
The food manufacturing landscape is diverse and full of niche opportunities for businesses. One such intriguing sector is NAICS code 311999 – All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing. This category captures a wide variety of specialty food manufacturing activities that do not fall under more commonly recognized food production industries. Whether you’re a food entrepreneur, government contractor, or industry analyst, understanding this NAICS code is essential for identifying business opportunities and compliance requirements.
What is NAICS Code 311999?
NAICS code 311999 encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing food products not classified in other specific food manufacturing categories. This code is a catch-all for miscellaneous food manufacturing activities, highlighting the diversity of specialty and niche food items produced in the United States.
Key Highlights:
- NAICS Code: 311999
- Title: All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
- Sector: Food Manufacturing
- Employee Size Standard: 700 employees or fewer
Sector Overview and Typical Business Activities
Sector: Food Manufacturing
NAICS 311999 falls under the broad Food Manufacturing sector, which includes everything from large-scale meat processing plants to small artisanal food producers. This specific classification covers the production of specialty foods and other miscellaneous food products that don't fit standard categories.
Typical Businesses & Activities Include:
- Manufacturing specialty snack foods not elsewhere classified
- Production of perishable prepared foods that don't fit traditional bakery or meat production categories
- Creation of niche food mixes, syrups, fillings, and desserts
These businesses often cater to specialty markets, health-conscious consumers, or ethnic food niches that require unique production processes.
Size Standards & Eligibility for Small Business Programs
To qualify as a small business under NAICS code 311999, your establishment must have 700 or fewer employees.
This size standard is critical for government contracting and small business programs, enabling eligible enterprises to compete for set-aside contracts, grants, and other assistance.
Examples of Businesses Falling Under NAICS 311999
- Artisan producers of dry cocktail mixes
- Manufacturers of specialty pasta or noodle mixes using purchased ingredients
- Companies producing cupcake or pie fillings (non-fruit and non-meat based)
- Establishments creating flavored syrups that exclude pure maple syrup
- Producers of gelatin dessert preparations or baking powders
Detailed Code Activities Breakdown
| Activity Description | Included Under NAICS 311999? |
|---|---|
| Almond pastes manufacturing | Yes |
| Baking powder manufacturing | Yes |
| Bread crumbs not made in bakeries | Yes |
| Cake frosting manufacturing | Yes |
| Chinese noodles, fried, manufacturing | Yes |
| Cocktail mixes, dry, manufacturing | Yes |
| Coconut, desiccated and shredded, manufacturing | Yes |
| Corn syrups made from purchased sweeteners | Yes |
| Drink powder mixes (except chocolate, coffee, milk based, tea) | Yes |
| Egg substitutes manufacturing | Yes |
| Eggs, processed, manufacturing | Yes |
| Fillings, cake or pie (except fruits, meat, vegetables), manufacturing | Yes |
| Frosting, prepared, manufacturing | Yes |
| Gelatin dessert preparations manufacturing | Yes |
| Gelatin for cooking manufacturing | Yes |
| Honey processing | Yes |
| Maple syrup mixing into other products | Yes |
| Noodle mixes made from purchased dry ingredients | Yes |
| Noodles, fried, manufacturing | Yes |
| Pancake syrups (except pure maple) manufacturing | Yes |
| Pasta mixes made from purchased dry ingredients | Yes |
| Popcorn (except popped) manufacturing | Yes |
| Potato mixes made from purchased dry ingredients | Yes |
| Powdered drink mixes (except chocolate, coffee, tea, milk based) | Yes |
| Powders, baking, manufacturing | Yes |
| Puddings, canned dessert, manufacturing | Yes |
| Puddings, dessert, manufacturing | Yes |
| Rice mixes (uncooked, packaged with other ingredients) | Yes |
| Sorghum syrup manufacturing | Yes |
| Soup mixes, dry, made from purchased dry ingredients | Yes |
| Sweetening syrups (except pure maple) manufacturing | Yes |
| Syrup, corn (except wet milled) manufacturing | Yes |
| Syrup, sweetening (except pure maple) manufacturing | Yes |
| Syrup, table, artificially flavored, manufacturing | Yes |
| Yeast manufacturing | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kinds of food products fall under NAICS 311999?
This code includes a wide range of miscellaneous food products such as baking powders, frosting, processed eggs, various syrups, gelatin desserts, drink powders, and specialty noodle and pasta mixes.
How does NAICS 311999 differ from other food manufacturing codes?
NAICS 311999 covers food manufacturing activities that don’t fit into the more specific categories like bakery products, meat products, dairy products, or grain mill products, making it a ‘miscellaneous’ catch-all category.
Are businesses with fewer than 700 employees considered small under this NAICS code?
Yes. The SBA size standard for NAICS 311999 is 700 employees, making businesses with 700 or fewer employees eligible for small business programs.
Can I use NAICS 311999 for government contracting opportunities?
Absolutely. Knowing the correct NAICS code is essential for bidding on government contracts specific to your industry. Businesses under 700 employees can also qualify for small business set-asides.
What are some examples of businesses in this category?
Examples include producers of specialty dry cocktail mixes, processed eggs, flavored syrups other than pure maple, and dry soup mixes made from purchased ingredients.
Conclusion
NAICS code 311999 – All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing represents an important niche within the food manufacturing industry. It offers diverse business opportunities across many specialty food products that don’t fall under traditional manufacturing categories. Understanding your classification under this NAICS code can not only help align your business with the right industry standards but also open doors to government contracts and growth opportunities.
By leveraging this code, manufacturers can better position themselves in the competitive food manufacturing market and comply with industry and government regulations effectively.
For businesses involved in specialty food production, accurately identifying NAICS code 311999 is a key step toward successful market positioning and compliance.
