NAICS 311930

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the governmentwide standard for grouping business establishments so federal statistical programs can collect, analyze, and publish data about the U.S. economy. Developed by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget with counterparts in Canada and Mexico, NAICS replaced the SIC system in 1997 and is updated on a five-year cycle; the current vintage used for the 2022 Economic Census is NAICS 2022. ⁴

NAICS 311930 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing flavoring syrup drink concentrates and related products intended for soda fountain use or for the manufacture of soft drinks. Census cross-references place chocolate syrup in NAICS 311320 and note that soft drink bases are classified in the 31193 industry grouping, with finished soft drink manufacturing in NAICS 312111. Federal statistical programs use this definition to assign establishments and publish industry statistics. ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 311930 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/311930
• G2X — NAICS 312111 Soft Drink Manufacturing: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/312111
• G2X — NAICS 311999 All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/311999

What this NAICS covers

• Flavoring syrup drink concentrates produced for soda fountain dispensing. ¹
• Concentrated flavor bases formulated for use in soft drink manufacturing. ¹
• Beverage syrups manufactured for dilution and incorporation into carbonated or still soft drinks. ¹
• Compounded fountain syrups and related concentrate products packaged for commercial beverage operations. ¹
• Non-chocolate flavoring syrups intended as inputs to soft drink bottling or foodservice fountain systems. ¹
• Related concentrate products blended to customer specifications for soft drink production lines. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	312111	Soft Drink Manufacturing; Census cross-reference states soft drink bases are classified in 31193. 1
NAICS	311320	Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans; chocolate syrup belongs here, not in 311930. 1
PSC	8960	Beverages, Nonalcoholic — PSC family used for nonalcoholic beverage products. 3
PSC	8940	Special Dietary Foods and Food Specialty Preparations — PSC group for specialty food preparations and mixes. 3

Key exclusions and boundaries

• Chocolate syrup is classified under NAICS 311320, not within NAICS 311930. ¹
• Finished soft drink bottling and canning fall under NAICS 312111; 311930 covers the concentrate/base inputs. ¹
• Powdered drink mixes (except chocolate, coffee, tea, or milk-based) are placed in NAICS 311999. ¹

SBA small business size standard (manufacturing)

• As of March 17, 2023, SBA applies an employee-based size standard to NAICS codes in Manufacturing (31–33). For NAICS 311930, the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Always confirm against SBA’s current Table of Small Business Size Standards. ²

Program note: WOSB eligibility

• NAICS 311930 is designated as eligible under SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program (effective October 1, 2022). ⁵

Frequently asked questions

• What activities fall under NAICS 311930?

  • Establishments that manufacture flavoring syrup drink concentrates and related products used by soda fountains or as bases for soft drink production. Chocolate syrups are classified in NAICS 311320, and finished soft drinks are in NAICS 312111. ¹

• What is the SBA small business size standard for NAICS 311930?

  • SBA sets an employee-based standard for Manufacturing codes; for NAICS 311930 it is 1,000 employees (effective March 17, 2023). Verify against SBA’s current Table at the time of offer due to periodic updates. ²

• How does NAICS 311930 differ from NAICS 312111?

  • NAICS 311930 manufactures concentrates and syrups, while NAICS 312111 manufactures finished soft drinks and handles bottling. Census cross-references explicitly separate soft drink bases (industry group 31193) from finished beverage production. ¹

• Are powdered drink mixes included in NAICS 311930?

  • No. Powdered drink mixes (except chocolate, coffee, tea, or milk-based) are placed in NAICS 311999. Flavoring syrups intended as soft drink bases are within NAICS 311930. ¹

• Which PSCs commonly appear on buys for beverage syrups and concentrates?

  • Agencies often use PSC families such as 8960 (Beverages, Nonalcoholic) and 8940 (Special Dietary Foods and Food Specialty Preparations). There is no official NAICS-to-PSC crosswalk; assignment depends on the specific buy. Not specified by official sources. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 311930 overview: https://app.g2xchange.com/naics/311930
• Census NAICS 2022 — 311930 Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing. ¹
• SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). ²
• Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual — current edition and archives. ³
• Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems. ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022, 311930 Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing (definition and cross-references). https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=311930&year=2022&details=311930
2. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (Effective March 17, 2023). https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf
3. Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (current edition and archives). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
4. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 guidance). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
5. U.S. Small Business Administration — Eligible NAICS for the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program (effective Oct. 1, 2022). https://www.sba.gov/document/support-eligible-naics-women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program