NAICS Code for Food Manufacturing (311) | Subsector Guide (3111–3119)
Food manufacturing is most commonly classified in NAICS Subsector 311 – Food Manufacturing. This subsector includes establishments primarily engaged in transforming livestock and agricultural products into food for human or animal consumption. The correct NAICS code depends on what you make (meat, dairy, bakery, beverages, etc.) and the primary production process at the facility.
Quick boundary: manufacturing facilities that process/produce food usually fall in 311. Businesses that primarily sell prepared meals (restaurants, caterers) are usually in Sector 72 (Food Services), and businesses that primarily sell food at retail are typically in Sector 44–45 (Retail Trade).
How to choose the correct NAICS code for a food manufacturing business
Quick rule: choose the NAICS code that reflects the facility’s primary production activity (dominant product line and process).
- Start with 311 (Food Manufacturing) if the establishment processes raw inputs into food products.
- Select the most specific industry based on the main product category (meat, dairy, grain/oilseed, bakery, beverage, etc.).
- Use establishment-level coding: if a company has multiple plants, code each location by what it primarily produces.
Tip: if a site both manufactures food and runs a retail store or restaurant, classify by the dominant activity at that address.
⚠️ Common mistake: using NAICS 311 for businesses that primarily prepare and sell meals (restaurants/catering) or primarily sell packaged foods at retail.
Food services are typically classified under NAICS Sector 72. Retail food stores are typically under Sector 44–45. Use NAICS 311 when the primary activity is manufacturing/processing.
Core NAICS categories for food manufacturing (Subsector 311)
Major food manufacturing groups (311x)
- 3111 – Animal Food Manufacturing
- 3112 – Grain and Oilseed Milling
- 3113 – Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing
- 3114 – Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing
- 3115 – Dairy Product Manufacturing
- 3116 – Animal Slaughtering and Processing
- 3117 – Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
- 3118 – Bakery Product Manufacturing
- 3119 – Other Food Manufacturing
Use these to narrow the category, then select the most specific 5–6 digit NAICS code that matches the main product and process.
Fast picks (common situations)
- Bread, tortillas, pastries: start with 3118
- Cheese, yogurt, milk processing: start with 3115
- Meat packing, poultry processing: start with 3116
- Frozen foods, sauces, specialty foods: start with 3114 or 3119
- Feed, pet food: start with 3111
If you don’t see an exact match, use the closest group above, then verify the included/excluded activities on the destination page.
Quick mapping (what the facility primarily makes → common NAICS group)
View mapping table
| If the establishment primarily produces… | Typical NAICS group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Animal feed / pet food | 3111 | Manufacturing feed or pet food products |
| Flour, rice milling, oils, cereal milling | 3112 | Grain processing and oilseed milling activities |
| Chocolate, candy, sugar products | 3113 | Confectionery and sugar processing |
| Canned/frozen fruit & vegetables, sauces, specialty foods | 3114 | Often used for preserving and specialty prepared food products |
| Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream) | 3115 | Processing and manufacturing dairy products |
| Meat, poultry, or animal slaughtering/processing | 3116 | Meat packing, poultry processing, rendering, etc. |
| Seafood processing & packaging | 3117 | Seafood preparation, processing, and packaging |
| Baked goods (bread, tortillas, pastries) | 3118 | Wholesale bakery manufacturing (not retail bakeries as primary activity) |
| Other packaged foods (snacks, coffee/tea processing, spices) | 3119 | Used when the main food manufacturing activity does not fit elsewhere |
Hybrid facilities: If a plant produces multiple categories, classify by the product line representing the majority of output.
Best practice: keep a short internal note (1–2 sentences) stating what was selected and what was excluded for auditability.
Common food manufacturing business types (and the NAICS group typically used)
Co-packer / contract manufacturer:
Often classified in NAICS 311 based on the primary food product actually produced at the facility (e.g., bakery products, specialty foods, dairy).
Commercial bakery / wholesale bakery:
Typically starts under 3118 when manufacturing baked goods is primary.
Frozen food manufacturer:
Often falls under 3114 (specialty food/preserving) or 3119, depending on the product definition.
Food packaging plant (packaging-first):
If the primary activity is packaging and not manufacturing/processing, the correct code may be outside 311. Classify based on the main activity.
Beverage production:
Many beverages are classified under NAICS 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing), which is outside 311.
See Outside NAICS 311 below.
Common “food” businesses outside NAICS 311
Food-related businesses can be manufacturing, retail, or food service. The correct NAICS depends on the primary activity at the location.
Restaurants, catering, and meal preparation for immediate consumption
Businesses primarily preparing and selling meals are typically classified in NAICS Sector 72 (Food Services and Drinking Places).
Use NAICS 311 when the activity is manufacturing/processing food products (often packaged for distribution), not operating a restaurant.
Grocery stores and specialty food retail
Retail food stores are typically classified in Sector 44–45 (Retail Trade).
If a business primarily sells food at retail (even with in-store preparation), classification often follows retail.
Beverage manufacturing
Many beverage producers are classified under NAICS 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing), which is outside NAICS 311.
If beverages are the primary output, confirm the beverage manufacturing category rather than food manufacturing.
Food distribution and wholesale
Businesses primarily wholesaling food products are typically classified in NAICS 42 (Wholesale Trade).
Warehousing and distribution activities can be classified outside manufacturing when production is not performed at the site.
Applied uses of food manufacturing NAICS codes
- Regulatory reporting, vendor onboarding, and compliance classification fields
- Food safety programs and supply-chain qualification workflows
- Market sizing, benchmarking, and industry rollups by product category
- Industrial supplier targeting (ingredients, packaging, sanitation, processing equipment)
Food manufacturing industry data and business lists
Need a food manufacturing business list by NAICS code?
SICCODE.com provides business lists aligned to NAICS categories for food manufacturing, including 311 and its major groups (3111–3119). Lists can be filtered by NAICS, geography (state, county, ZIP), company size, and other firmographic fields, with delivery options including CSV, Excel, and structured formats for integration workflows.
FAQ
- What is the NAICS code for food manufacturing?
Food manufacturing is most commonly classified under NAICS 311 – Food Manufacturing, with the specific code depending on the product and process. - Is a commercial kitchen considered food manufacturing?
Not always. If the primary activity is preparing meals for immediate consumption (restaurants/catering), classification is typically in Sector 72. If the primary activity is producing packaged food products for distribution, NAICS 311 may apply. - Are beverage companies in NAICS 311?
Many beverage producers are classified under NAICS 3121 (Beverage Manufacturing). Confirm based on the primary output. - How do I classify a company with multiple plants?
NAICS is typically assigned at the establishment level. Classify each facility by what it primarily produces at that address. - What if a business both manufactures and sells at retail?
Use the NAICS code that matches the dominant activity at the location (manufacturing vs retail).
Next steps
Start with NAICS 311 (Food Manufacturing), then choose the most specific match based on the facility’s primary product category: animal food (3111), grain/oilseed milling (3112), confectionery/sugar (3113), specialty foods (3114), dairy (3115), meat processing (3116), seafood (3117), bakery (3118), or other foods (3119).
Related resources
- NAICS Code Lookup Directory
- What Is a NAICS Code?
- NAICS Included vs. Excluded Activities
- SIC Codes vs NAICS Codes
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