Class 30 comprises products of plant origin that are prepared or preserved for human consumption, such as processed grains, rice, coffee, tea and cocoa. However, Class 30 does not include processed fruits or vegetables, which are in Cl. 29.
Substances that sweeten or improve the flavour of food and beverages, like sugar, honey, aromatic substances, preserved herbs, spices, salt, seasonings and condiments are also in Class 30, with the exception of essential oils which are in Cl. 3. Goods that may be in other classes when used for different purposes are included in Class 30 when they are used as seasonings, such as processed seeds. Seeds that have been prepared for human consumption but are not intended to be used to flavour or season food are, however, in Cl. 29.
Certain foods and beverages are classified according to the predominant ingredient. For example, although most non-alcoholic beverages are in Cl. 32, beverages predominantly made of Class 30 ingredients are classified in Class 30. This is the case for coffee-, tea-, cocoa- or chocolate-based beverages.
Cereal grain products like flour are also in this class, as well as products made with flour, such as pasta, noodles, bread and pastries. It should be noted that foods like pizza, pies and sandwiches are classified in Class 30 even though they may be made with Cl. 29 goods such as cheese, meat, fish, eggs or vegetables, because the predominant ingredient is considered to be the pizza dough, pastry or bread, all of which are Class 30 products. This means that hot dog sandwiches and prepared cheeseburgers (served on a bread bun) are in Class 30 as well because the bread is considered predominant.
Following the same principle, filled pastries and pasta are classified in Class 30, even if the filling is composed of Cl. 29 ingredients. However, prepared meals in general can be classified in either Cl. 29 or Class 30 according to the predominant ingredient and must be worded with adequate specificity to determine the appropriate class.
The mention of "sauces and other condiments" in the Class Heading means that goods like soya sauce and ketchup are included in Class 30, as are some sauces that are not used as condiments, like tomato sauce and fruit coulis. As jellies, jams and compotes are in Cl. 29, however, the Alphabetical List should be consulted when classifying sauces and similar products.
Chocolate is also in Class 30, along with confectionery. It is worth mentioning that while nuts prepared for human consumption are in Cl. 29, chocolate spreads containing nuts belong to Class 30 because even though they contain nuts, they are classified according to their predominant ingredient (chocolate) in accordance with General Remark (e) for Goods.
Class 30 is also the home of ice (i.e. frozen water), edible ices, frozen yoghurt, sorbets and ice cream. Even though ice cream is generally made using dairy products which belong to Cl. 29, ice cream itself is considered a type of confectionery ice in Class 30.