USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 30 – Staple Foods

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we explore the different trademark classes to help businesses properly categorize and protect their brands.

In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 30, which includes staple foods such as baked goods, pasta, cereals, coffee, and spices. If your business manufactures, sells, or distributes food products in these categories, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my coffee brand?” or “Does my product fall under Class 30?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is appropriate for your brand.

What is Trademark Class 30?

Trademark Class 30 covers staple food products that are commonly used in meals or as part of a regular diet. These are generally plant-based, baked, or grain-based foods, as well as seasonings and beverages such as coffee and tea.

Some examples of goods that might fall under Trademark Class 30 include:

• Baked Goods: Bread, cakes, cookies, pastries

• Grain-Based Foods: Pasta, rice, noodles, cereals

• Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa: Ground coffee, espresso, green tea, hot chocolate

• Spices and Condiments: Salt, sugar, mustard, vinegar, salad dressings

• Snack Foods: Crackers, pretzels, popcorn, granola bars

• Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts: Gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbets

If your product is a staple food that is processed, baked, or a common pantry ingredient, Trademark Class 30 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 30 Matters for Your Business

Registering a trademark under Class 30 helps protect your brand in the food and grocery industry. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:

1. Prevents brand confusion – Many staple food products have similar names. A registered trademark ensures your brand is unique and legally protected.

2. Protects against counterfeiting and imitation – The food industry is highly competitive, and knockoff brands are common. A trademark helps prevent unauthorized companies from using your brand name.

3. Strengthens consumer trust and brand reputation – Customers associate food brands with safety, quality, and consistency. A trademark reinforces your product’s credibility.

4. Supports business expansion – If you plan to expand into additional food categories, specialty ingredients, or international markets, a trademark in Class 30 ensures strong brand protection.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 30

Many well-known food brands have trademarks registered under Class 30. Here are a few examples:

1. Kellogg’s® – Protects its brand for breakfast cereals and snack bars.

2. Nestlé® – Covers chocolate, coffee, and frozen desserts.

3. Folgers® – Trademarks its name for coffee and espresso products.

These companies rely on trademark protection to preserve their brand identity and prevent unauthorized use of their names and product packaging.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 30?

A comprehensive trademark search is highly recommended before applying in Class 30. The food industry has many competing brands with similar product names, increasing the likelihood of conflicts.

At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth trademark searches to ensure your brand has the best chance of approval. Here’s how we help:

• USPTO Database Search – Identifying similar trademarks that could cause conflicts.

• Approval Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential obstacles and improving your application’s success rate.

• Trademark Strategy Development – Refining your application to reduce the risk of disputes.

How to Determine if Class 30 is Right for Your Trademark

If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 30 is the correct category for your product, consider the following:

1. Is your product a baked, grain-based, or staple food item?

   • If it’s bread, rice, pasta, or cookies, Class 30 is likely appropriate.

2. Is your product a seasoning, sweetener, or common pantry item?

   • Salt, sugar, spices, and condiments belong in Class 30.

3. Does your product overlap with other classes?

   • Some food-related products may require multiple classifications. Examples include:

     • Meat, seafood, or dairy products may need Class 29 (Meats & Processed Foods).

     • Non-alcoholic beverages (e.g., iced coffee, bottled tea) could belong in Class 32 (Non-Alcoholic Beverages).

     • Retail bakery services might require Class 35 (Retail & Business Services).

If your product crosses multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we simplify the trademark process for food manufacturers, snack brands, and grocery suppliers.

Whether you’re launching a new coffee brand, protecting a bakery name, or expanding into international markets, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.

Here’s how we assist with Class 30 trademark registrations:

• Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.

• Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 30 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.

• Application Filing & Management – Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.

• Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.

If you’re ready to secure your brand in Class 30, contact us today to get started.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 30: Staple Foods with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 31: Natural Agricultural Products, where we’ll discuss trademarks for fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and live animals.

Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!