NAICS 311824

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments to enable consistent collection, tabulation, and publication of U.S. economic statistics. It was developed in cooperation with Canada and Mexico, replaced the SIC system in 1997, and is updated on a five-year cycle; the current vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 311824 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing dry pasta, and in producing prepared flour mixes and dough using flour milled elsewhere. Packaging dry pasta made by the same establishment with other ingredients for retail sale is also included. ³

Federal economic programs are implementing the 2022 NAICS revisions on a rolling basis through 2027, which may affect historical comparability and bridging. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacturing dry pasta products (e.g., macaroni, spaghetti) made by the establishment. ³
• Preparing flour mixes from purchased flour (e.g., prepared flour mixes) rather than milling on site. ³
• Manufacturing dough from purchased flour (e.g., prepared dough mixes). ³
• Packaging the establishment’s own dry pasta together with other ingredients as a retail product. ³
• Production activities organized within the Cookie, Cracker, and Pasta Manufacturing industry group when the process is dry pasta or mixes/dough from purchased flour. ⁴
• NAICS-based statistical reporting for employer and nonemployer establishments engaged in this activity. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Scope notes and common exclusions

• Fresh (refrigerated) pasta is classified in 311991 Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing, not in 311824. ³
• Mixing purchased dried or dehydrated ingredients with purchased dry pasta (without manufacturing the pasta) is classified in 311999 All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing. ³
• Canned pasta specialties are classified within 31142 Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling, and Drying. ⁵
• Establishments that both mill flour and prepare mixes or dough are classified in 311211 Flour Milling. ³
• Pasta sauces, dressings, and other prepared sauces are classified in 311941 Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing. ⁶

Frequently asked questions

• What activities are included in 311824?
  Establishments that manufacture dry pasta or produce prepared dough and flour mixes from purchased flour are in scope. Packaging the establishment’s own dry pasta with other ingredients for retail sale also falls under this code, provided the pasta is manufactured by the same establishment. ³

• Did 2022 NAICS change how pasta and flour-mix manufacturers are coded?
  Yes. NAICS 2022 updates are being implemented across Census economic programs through 2027. While the fundamental activities remain identifiable, some detailed industries were consolidated or restructured, which affects time series tabulation and bridging across vintages. ²

• Which PSCs most often align with 311824 products?
  Common product service codes include 8920 Bakery and Cereal Products (e.g., macaroni, flour, prepared flour) and, for certain specialty or dietary formulations, 8940 Special Dietary Foods and Food Specialty Preparations. Always verify the item description and intended use against the PSC manual. ⁸

• How should products combining purchased dry pasta with dehydrated sauce packets be classified?
  If the establishment does not manufacture the pasta and only combines purchased dry pasta with purchased dehydrated ingredients, the activity is classified in 311999, not 311824. If the establishment manufactures the pasta, packaging with other ingredients remains in-scope. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 311824 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS main page and history. ¹
• U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of 2022 NAICS and transition timeline. ²
• U.S. Census Bureau — LEHD Snapshot documentation value labels (shows 311824 title). ⁷
• GSA — Product and Service Code Manual (food PSC descriptors). ⁸

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS main page and introduction. https://www.census.gov/naics
2. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS. https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 311824 (Dry Pasta, Dough, and Flour Mixes Made From Purchased Flour Manufacturing), 2022. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=311824&year=2022&details=311824
4. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 31182 (Cookie, Cracker, and Pasta Manufacturing) industry group, 2022. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=31182&year=2022&details=31182
5. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 31142 (Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling, and Drying) industry group, 2022. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=31142&year=2022&details=31142
6. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 311941 (Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing), 2022. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=311941&year=2022&details=311941
7. U.S. Census Bureau — LEHD Snapshot documentation, value labels. https://lehd.ces.census.gov/data/lehd-snapshot-doc/latest/appendices/value_labels.html
8. U.S. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code Manual, April 2025. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf