NAICS 311612

Overview

NAICS 311612 covers establishments primarily engaged in processing or preserving meat and meat byproducts (except poultry and small game) from purchased meats, including assembly cutting, fabrication, and packing into “boxed” meats. It is part of Manufacturing sector 311 (Food Manufacturing) and is commonly used by agencies and statistical programs to classify non‑slaughter meat processing activity. The definition distinguishes these processors from animal slaughtering, poultry processing, and rendering operations, which are covered by other NAICS codes. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Processing or preserving meat and meat byproducts (except poultry and small game) from purchased meats. ²
• Assembly cutting, fabrication, and packing of meat into boxed meats from purchased carcasses or primals. ²
• Further processing of red meats from purchased inputs for retail, institutional, or wholesale channels. ²
• Preparing value‑added meat items (e.g., portioned cuts) where the raw material is purchased, not slaughtered on site. ²
• Packaging and labeling of processed meats produced from purchased meats. ²
• Establishments whose primary activity is meat processing rather than animal slaughter, poultry processing, or rendering. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	311611	Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering
NAICS	311613	Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing
NAICS	311615	Poultry Processing
PSC	8905	Meat, Poultry, and Fish

Common exclusions and cross‑references

• Slaughtering animals (except poultry and small game) is classified in NAICS 311611, not NAICS 311612. ²
• Poultry and small‑game processing belongs in NAICS 311615. ²
• Rendering animal fats, bones, and meat scraps is NAICS 311613. ²
• Canned meats for baby food are classified in NAICS 311422 (Specialty Canning). ²
• Meat‑based animal feeds are classified in NAICS 31111. ²

Regulatory context for meat processing establishments

• Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspects meat establishments to ensure products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled; establishments must operate under inspection grants and applicable directives. ⁴
• FSIS requires hazard analysis and HACCP systems for meat and poultry establishments; sanitation and process controls are enforced through the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP rule. ⁷

Frequently asked questions

• What activities qualify a plant for NAICS 311612?
  Establishments primarily processing or preserving meat from purchased meats—including assembly cutting and boxing—are in scope. Slaughtering, poultry processing, and rendering fall elsewhere under NAICS 311611, 311615, and 311613, respectively. ²

• How is NAICS 311612 used in federal procurement?
  Contracting officers assign a NAICS code in solicitations and apply SBA size standards to determine eligibility. Offerors represent NAICS in FAR 52.204‑8 Annual Representations and Certifications, which agencies use for reporting and responsibility determinations. ⁵

• Which PSC often aligns with meat products under this NAICS?
  PSC 8905 (“Meat, Poultry, and Fish”) is commonly used for subsistence food procurements and distribution of meat items in federal supply chains. The PSC Manual provides the official definition within the subsistence family. ³

• Are there special food safety requirements for facilities coded under NAICS 311612?
  Meat processors in interstate commerce are subject to continuous FSIS inspection, sanitation performance standards, labeling compliance, and mandatory HACCP systems. State programs may operate “at least equal to” federal standards for intrastate operations under cooperative agreements. ⁴

• What products are typical outputs for NAICS 311612?
  Typical outputs include fabricated cuts, portion‑controlled steaks, roasts, ground meats, and boxed meats produced from purchased carcasses or primals. These align with NAPCS product categories used in the Economic Census for food manufacturing. ⁶

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 311612
• Census NAICS guidance: Understanding NAICS and the 2022 update timeline. ¹
• Census NAICS definition for NAICS 311612. ²
• Acquisition.gov PSC Manual (for PSC 8905 definitions). ³
• USDA FSIS: Inspection of Meat Products (regulatory framework). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — About Industry: NAICS history and 2022 vintage. https://www.census.gov/topics/employment/industry-occupation/about/industry.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS Code 311612: Meat Processed from Carcasses. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=311612&year=2022&details=311612
3. U.S. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/all
4. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service — Inspection of Meat Products. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/inspection-programs/inspection-meat-products
5. Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.204‑8 — Annual Representations and Certifications. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-8
6. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAPCS Structure, Section 11 (Food, beverage, tobacco products). https://www.census.gov/naics/napcs/sections/section11.html
7. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service — Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems (final rule). https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/federal-register-rulemaking/federal-register-rules/pathogen-reduction-hazard-analysis-and-critical-control-point-haccp-systems