NAICS 311942

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the U.S. standard for organizing establishments to support statistical collection, analysis, and publication about the economy. Led by the Office of Management and Budget, NAICS replaced the SIC system in 1997 and is jointly maintained with Canada and Mexico; the current implemented vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 311942 covers firms primarily engaged in manufacturing spices, table salt, seasonings, flavoring extracts (except coffee and meat), and natural food colorings, as well as dry mix food preparations such as salad dressing mixes, gravy and sauce mixes, frosting mixes, and other dry mixes. Tomato-based sauces are classified elsewhere, and coffee extracts are excluded. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 311942 overview
• G2X — NAICS 31194 Seasoning and Dressing Manufacturing
• G2X — NAICS 311930 Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacturing spices and blends (e.g., pepper, paprika, curry, seasoning rubs). ²
• Processing and packaging table salt for food use. ²
• Producing flavoring extracts (excluding coffee and meat extracts). ²
• Making natural food colorings for edible products. ²
• Manufacturing dry salad dressing mixes and other dry sauce or gravy mixes. ²
• Producing dry frosting mixes and similar dessert preparation mixes. ²
• Compounding other dry mix food preparations not elsewhere classified. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	311941	Mayonnaise, dressing, and other prepared nontomato-based sauces manufacturing. 2
NAICS	311421	Fruit and Vegetable Canning (includes tomato-based sauces such as ketchup). 2
NAICS	311920	Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (includes coffee extracts). 2
PSC	8950	Condiments and Related Products (includes salad dressings, spices, seasonings, flavoring extracts). 3

Scope notes and exclusions

• Tomato-based sauces (e.g., ketchup, salsa) are classified under NAICS 311421, not 311942. ²
• Mayonnaise, dressings, mustard, soy sauce, and other prepared nontomato-based sauces are classified in NAICS 311941. ²
• Coffee extracts belong in NAICS 311920; meat extracts are in NAICS 31161 (Animal Slaughtering and Processing). ²
• Industrial salts (nonfood) are classified under NAICS 325998, not 311942. ²
• Natural nonfood colorings are classified under NAICS 325199; synthetic food colorings are classified under NAICS 32513. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What activities define NAICS 311942?

  • Establishments primarily produce spices, table salt, seasoning blends, flavoring extracts (excluding coffee and meat), natural food colorings, and dry mix preparations such as salad dressing, gravy, sauce, and frosting mixes. These products are intended for edible use and exclude tomato-based sauces and coffee extracts. ²

• Are synthetic food colorings included in 311942?

  • No. Synthetic food colorings fall under NAICS 32513. NAICS 311942 covers natural food colorings used in foods, along with spices, extracts (except coffee and meat), and dry mix preparations for edible products. ²

• Where are tomato-based sauces and ketchup classified?

  • Tomato-based sauces, including ketchup and salsa, are classified under NAICS 311421. NAICS 311942 expressly excludes tomato-based sauces, which are treated as canned fruit and vegetable preparations in the NAICS structure. ²

• Which PSC is commonly used for spices and extracts in federal purchases?

  • PSC 8950 (Condiments and Related Products) covers salad dressings, spices, seasonings, and flavoring extracts—items often produced by firms in NAICS 311942. Agencies typically align commodity buys for these products to PSC 8950 when soliciting or awarding. ³

• How does 311942 differ from 311941?

  • NAICS 311942 focuses on spices, salt, flavoring extracts (excluding coffee and meat), natural food colorings, and dry mixes. NAICS 311941 covers mayonnaise, dressings, mustard, soy sauce, and other prepared sauces (non-tomato). The distinction hinges on dry mixes/extracts versus prepared sauces. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 311942 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2022 search: 311942 Spice and Extract Manufacturing. ²
• U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of 2022 NAICS (overview and timeline). ¹
• Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (April 2025). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau, “The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).” https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Search — 311942 Spice and Extract Manufacturing. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=311942&year=2022
3. General Services Administration, Product and Service Code Manual (April 2025). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf