Editing General Mills

{{short description|American multinational food corporation}}
{{others}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = General Mills, Inc.
| former_name = {{ubl|Minneapolis Milling Company (1856–1877)|Washburn-Crosby Company (1877–1928)}}
| logo = General Mills logo.svg
| logo_caption = Logo used since December 2017{{efn|The logo's "Big G" symbol has been in use since June  1963.}}
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|GIS}}|[[S&P 500]] component}}
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = [[Jeffrey Harmening]] ([[chairman]] and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| industry = [[Food processing]]
| products = [[Cake mix|Baking mix]]es, [[breakfast cereal]]s, [[yogurt]], refrigerated [[dough]], [[soup]], [[pizza]], [[snack food]]s, [[ice cream]], [[soy]] products, [[vegetable]]s, [[flour]], [[General Mills#Breakfast cereals|other food products]],<ref name="General Mills">{{cite web|url=https://www.generalmills.com/food-we-make/brands |title=Our Brands}}</ref>
| services = 
| revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|19.86 billion|link=yes}} (2024)
| operating_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|3.432 billion}} (2024)
| net_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|2.497 billion}} (2024)
| assets = {{increase}} {{US$|31.47 billion}} (2024)
| equity = {{decrease}} {{US$|9.397 billion}} (2024)
| num_employees = 34,000 (May 2024)
| parent = 
| divisions = 
| subsid = [[Cereal Partners Worldwide]] (50%)
| footnotes = Financials {{as of|2024|5|26|pre=fiscal year ended|lc=y|df=US}}.<br/>References:<ref name="10-K">{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/40704/000119312524168943/d764890d10k.htm |title=General Mills, Inc. FY 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=June 26, 2024 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |website=sec.gov |access-date=June 28, 2024 }}</ref>
| caption = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|1856}} (as Minneapolis Milling Company)<br>{{Start date and age|1877}} (as Washburn-Crosby Company)<br>{{Start date and age|1928}} (as General Mills) [[Minneapolis]], Minnesota, U.S.
| founders = {{unbulleted list
| [[Robert Smith (Illinois politician)|Robert Smith]]
| [[Cadwallader C. Washburn]]
| [[John Crosby (General Mills)|John Crosby]]
| [[James Ford Bell]]}}
| hq_location_city = [[Golden Valley, Minnesota]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| website = {{URL|generalmills.com}}
}}

'''General Mills, Inc.''' is an American [[multinational corporation|multinational]] manufacturer and marketer of branded [[ultra-processed]] consumer foods sold through retail stores. Founded on the banks of the [[Mississippi River]] at [[Saint Anthony Falls]] in [[Minneapolis]], the company originally gained fame for being a large [[flour miller]]. It is headquartered in [[Golden Valley, Minnesota]], a suburb of Minneapolis.

Today, the company markets many well-known North American brands, including Gold Medal flour, [[Annie's Homegrown]], [[Lärabar]], Cascadian Farm, [[Betty Crocker]], [[Nature Valley]], [[Totino's]], [[Pillsbury Company|Pillsbury]], [[Old El Paso]], [[Häagen-Dazs]], as well as [[breakfast cereal]]s under the General Mills name, including [[Cheerios]], [[Wheaties]], [[Chex]], [[Lucky Charms]], [[Trix (cereal)|Trix]], [[Cocoa Puffs]], and the [[monster cereals]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our brands - General Mills |url=https://www.generalmills.com/food-we-make/brands |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.generalmills.com |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:The Leading Flour-A0327-01.jpeg|thumb|left|upright|Advertisement, late 1880s]]

=== Washburn-Crosby Company ===
The company can trace its history to the '''Minneapolis Milling Company''', incorporated in 1856.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millcitymuseum.org/timeline|title=Mill City Timeline|website=millcitymuseum.org|access-date=September 13, 2014|archive-date=April 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401080101/http://www.millcitymuseum.org/timeline|url-status=dead}}</ref> The company was founded by Illinois congressman [[Robert Smith (Illinois politician)|Robert Smith]], who leased power rights to flour mills operating along the west side of Saint Anthony Falls on the [[Mississippi River]] in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]. [[Cadwallader C. Washburn]] acquired the company shortly after its founding and hired his brother [[William D. Washburn]] to assist in the company's development. In 1866 the Washburns got into the business themselves, building the Washburn "B" Mill at the falls. At the time, the building was considered to be so large and output so vast that it could not possibly sustain itself. However, the company succeeded, and in 1874 he built the even bigger [[Washburn "A" Mill]].

In 1877, the mill entered a partnership with [[John Crosby (General Mills)|John Crosby]] to form the '''Washburn-Crosby Company''', producing [[Winter Wheat|winter wheat]] flour. That same year Washburn sent [[William Hood Dunwoody]] to England to open the market for spring wheat.<ref>[https://www.angelfire.com/journal/pondlilymill/edgar.html "The Story of a Grain of Wheat"]. [[Angelfire]].</ref> Dunwoody was successful and became a silent partner.

In 1878, the "A" mill was destroyed in a flour [[dust explosion]] along with five nearby buildings, an event known as the [[Great Mill Disaster]]. The ensuing fire led to the death of 18 workers.<ref>{{cite web | title = Washburn 'A' Mill Explosion | work = History Topics | publisher = [[Minnesota Historical Society]] | url = http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/73washburn.html | access-date = May 9, 2012 | archive-date = July 31, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130731014659/http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/73washburn.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> Construction of a new mill began immediately. Not only was the new mill safer but it also was able to produce a higher quality flour after the old grinding stones were replaced with automatic steel rollers, the first ever used.

In 1880, Washburn-Crosby flour brands won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Millers' International Exhibition in [[Cincinnati]], causing them to launch the Gold Medal flour brand.<ref>{{cite book | last = Gray | first = James | title = Business without Boundary: The Story of General Mills | publisher = University of Minnesota Press | year = 1954 | page = 36 | lccn = 54-10286}}</ref>

In 1924, the company acquired a failing [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Twin Cities]] radio station, [[WLAG]], renaming it [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] (from Washburn-Crosby Company).

===Founding as General Mills===
'''General Mills''' itself was created on June 20, 1928,<ref name=historysite>{{cite web|url=https://history.generalmills.com/the-story.html|title=General Mills 150 - Making Food People Love|work=GeneralMills.com|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726145306/https://history.generalmills.com/the-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> when Washburn-Crosby President [[James Ford Bell]] merged Washburn-Crosby with three other mills.<ref name="nytobit">Staff report (May 8, 1961). [http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/05/08/97237691.html?pageNumber=35 James Bell Ford of General Mills; Founder of Concern Is Dead at 81 -- Was Philanthropist] ''[[New York Times]]''</ref> In the same year, General Mills acquired the Wichita Mill and Elevator Company of the industrialist [[Frank Kell]] of [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls]], [[Texas]]. With the sale, Kell acquired cash plus stock in the corporation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fke07|title=J. W. Williams, "Frank Kell"|publisher=tshaonline.org|access-date=April 16, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Washburn Crosby.jpg|thumb|Postcard image of the Gold Medal Flour factory in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] c. 1900]]
Shares of the new company's stock were first sold on the New York Stock Exchange on November 30, 1928, at $65 per share. The newly merged company paid a [[dividend]] in 1928 and has continued the dividend uninterrupted ever since – one of only a few companies to pay a dividend every year since its founding.<ref name=historysite/>

===Engineering milestones===
[[File:2009-0722-GeneralMills-hq.jpg|thumb|right|General Mills's corporate campus in [[Golden Valley, Minnesota]]]]
In the 1930s, General Mills engineer, Thomas R. James, created the puffing gun, which inflated or distorted cereal pieces into puffed-up shapes. This new technology was used in 1937 to create [[Kix (cereal)|Kix cereal]] and in 1941 to create Cheerioats (known today as Cheerios).
In 1939, General Mills engineer Helmer Anderson created the Anderson sealer. This new device allowed for bags of flour to be sealed with glue instead of just being tied with a string.
In 1956, General Mills created the tear-strip for easily opening packages.

===Aeronautical Research Division and Electronics Division===
In 1946, General Mills established their Aeronautical Research Division with chief engineer [[Otto C. Winzen]]. This division developed high altitude balloons in conjunction with the [[United States Navy]] [[Office of Naval Research]] (ONR), such as the [[Skyhook balloon]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The "daddy" of the balloon industry|url=http://blog.generalmills.com/2011/08/the-daddy-of-the-balloon-industry/|website=Taste of General Mills blog|publisher=General Mills|access-date=December 15, 2015}}</ref>

In 1956, hundreds of General Mills balloons carrying reconnaissance equipment were launched by the United States government under [[Project Genetrix]] to surveil [[Eastern Bloc|Eastern bloc]] countries, in particular their nuclear capabilities.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Burnett |first=Maurice G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Z_ixgEACAAJ |title=Hexagon (KH-9) Mapping Camera Program and Evolution |date=2012 |publisher=Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance |isbn=978-1-937219-08-6 |location=United States of America |quote=The program, code name GENETRIX, called for light-weight plastic balloons carrying optical cameras and electronic equipment to be floated across the U.S.S.R. ... capable of remaining above 60,000 feet ... The cover story ... stated that the project was part of a worldwide meteorological survey. 512 vehicles were launched.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwarz |first=Jon |date=2023-02-07 |title=U.S. Sent "Weather" Balloons to Spy on China and the Soviet Union in the 1950s |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/02/07/china-balloon-soviet-union/ |website=The Intercept}}</ref>

The aeronautical work of General Mills done around the time of the Second World War was continued by [[Raven Industries]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ravenaerostar.com/about/history |title=History |website=[[Raven Aerostar]] |date=September 2, 2021 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204202919/https://ravenaerostar.com/about/history |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The General Mills Electronics division developed the [[DSV Alvin|DSV ''Alvin'']] submersible, which is notable for being used in investigating the wreck of ''[[Titanic]]'' among other deep-sea exploration missions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our connection to Alvin|url=http://blog.generalmills.com/2014/06/alvin-50-anniversary/|website=Taste of General Mills blog|publisher=General Mills|access-date=December 15, 2015}}</ref>

===Merchandising and television===
Beginning in 1929, General Mills products contained box top coupons, known as [[Betty Crocker]] coupons, with varying point values, which were redeemable for discounts on a variety of housewares products featured in the widely distributed Betty Crocker catalog. The coupons and the catalog were discontinued by the company in 2006.

General Mills became the sponsor of the popular radio show ''[[The Lone Ranger]]'' in 1941. The show was then brought to television, and, after 20 years, their sponsorship came to an end in 1961.

[[Image:Mississippi-Minneapolis-20081005.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Former site of General Mills {{asof|2008|lc=y}} on the [[Mississippi River]] at Minneapolis]]
Beginning in 1959, General Mills sponsored the ''[[The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show|Rocky and His Friends]]'' [[television series]], later known as ''[[The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show|The Bullwinkle Show]]''. Until 1968, Rocky and Bullwinkle were featured in a variety of advertisements for General Mills. General Mills was also a sponsor of the Saturday-morning cartoons from the [[Total Television]] productions studio, including [[Tennessee Tuxedo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cartoonician.com/whatever-happened-to-total-television-productions/|title=Whatever Happened to Total TeleVision productions?|work=Hogan's Alley|access-date=July 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914162424/http://cartoonician.com/whatever-happened-to-total-television-productions/|archive-date=September 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The company also was a sponsor of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[Western (genre)|western]] series ''[[The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp]]'', starring [[Hugh O'Brian]]. The company, along with its subsidiary [[The Program Exchange]], backed [[DiC Entertainment]] in syndicating the ''[[Dennis the Menace (1986 TV series)|Dennis the Menace]]'' animated series based on the [[Dennis the Menace (U.S. comics)|comic strip of the same name]] created by [[Hank Ketcham]] in 1986. From 1997 until May 31, 2004, General Mills sponsored and syndicated the first 82 episodes of the original ''[[Sailor Moon (anime)|Sailor Moon]]'' English dub (the remaining 17 of 82 episodes premiered on [[Cartoon Network]]'s programming block [[Toonami]] in 1998).

===Diversification: toys and restaurants===
The first venture General Mills took into the toy industry was in 1965. The company bought [[Rainbow Crafts]], which was the manufacturer of [[Play-Doh]]. General Mills's purchase of the company was significant because it brought production costs down and tripled the revenue.

In 1967, General Mills bought the [[Kenner Products|Kenner]] toy company.

General Mills came out with their [[General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals|"monster cereals"]] in the 1970s. The cereals are now produced and sold seasonally around [[Halloween]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Morioka, Lynne|date=Aug 20, 2013|title=The return of two General Mills monsters
|url=http://www.blog.generalmills.com/2013/08/frute-brute-yummy-mummy/|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref>

In 1970, General Mills acquired a five-unit restaurant company called [[Red Lobster (restaurant)|Red Lobster]] and expanded it nationwide. Soon, a division of General Mills titled General Mills Restaurants developed to take charge of the Red Lobster chain. In 1980, General Mills acquired the California-based [[Good Earth (restaurant chain)|Good Earth]] health food restaurant chain.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Lakeland Ledger|title=General Mills announces purchase of Good Earth Restaurant chain|date=Nov 8, 1980|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fEdNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2747,2725596&dq=good-earth+restaurant+chain&hl=en}}</ref> The company eventually converted the restaurants into other chain restaurants they were operating, such as Red Lobster.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-11-fi-3300-story.html |title=Brothers Plan Growth for Good Earth Chain - Los Angeles Times |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=March 11, 1986 |access-date=June 5, 2013 |first=Daniel |last=Akst}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CVQgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1578,4690655&dq=good-earth+restaurant+chain&hl=en|title=February Openings Set For Theme Restaurants|publisher=[[The Daytona Beach News-Journal]] |date=October 9, 1982}}</ref> In 1982, General Mills Restaurants founded a new Italian-themed restaurant chain called [[Olive Garden]]. Another themed restaurant, [[China Coast]], was added before the entire group was spun off to General Mills shareholders in 1995 as [[Darden Restaurants]].

During the same decade, General Mills ventured further, starting the General Mills Specialty Retail Group. They acquired two clothing and apparel companies, [[Talbots]] and [[Eddie Bauer]]. The acquisition was short-lived. Talbots was purchased by a Japanese company, then known as [[JUSCO]], and the [[Spiegel (catalog)|Spiegel]] company purchased Bauer. Spiegel later declared bankruptcy, yet Bauer still remains, albeit in a smaller presence in the United States today.

[[File:Gold medal flour factory.jpg|thumb|The Washburn "A" Mill, the producer of Gold Medal Flour, now the [[Minnesota Historical Society]] [[Mill City Museum]]]]

From 1976 to 1985, General Mills went to court as the parent company of [[Parker Brothers]], which held the rights on the brand name and gaming idea of the board game ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]'', claiming that the so-called [[Anti-Monopoly]] game of an economics professor infringed their trademark. The dispute extended up to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]], which ruled against them, saying that while they have exclusive rights to the game ''Monopoly'', they cannot prevent others from using the word "[[monopoly]]" in the name of a game.

In 1985, General Mills's toy division was separated from its parent as Kenner Parker Toys, Inc. There were many potential acquirers of the business but it was floated on the stock exchange with General Mills's shareholders getting equivalent shares in Kenner Parker. This was more tax efficient for General Mills.<ref>Ward, Arthur(2009), The Boys' Book of Airfix London: Ebury Press (Ebury Publishing).</ref>

===Recent history===
In 1990, a joint venture with [[Nestlé|Nestlé S.A.]] called [[Cereal Partners]] was formed<ref name='cerealpartners'>{{cite web|title=About us – Nestle Cereals|url=http://www.cerealpartners.co.uk/about-us/default.aspx|publisher=Cereal Partners UK|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226104514/http://www.cerealpartners.co.uk/about-us/default.aspx|archive-date=February 26, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> which markets cereals (including many existing General Mills cereal brands) outside the US and Canada under the Nestlé name.

In 2001, the company purchased [[Pillsbury Company|Pillsbury]] (sans [[Burger King]]) from [[Diageo]], although it was officially described as a "merger".

Since 2004, General Mills has been producing more products targeted to the growing ranks of health-conscious consumers. The company has chosen to switch its entire [[breakfast cereal]] line to [[whole grain]]. The company also started manufacturing their child-targeted cereals with less sugar.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2004-09-30-whole-grain_x.htm | work= [[USA Today]] | title=Cereals go whole grain | first1=Bruce | last1=Horovitz | date=September 30, 2004 | access-date=May 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.generalmills.com/Company/History.aspx "General Mills: Our History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719082532/http://www.generalmills.com/Company/History.aspx |date=July 19, 2013 }}. General Mills.</ref> General Mills has reduced the level of sugar in all cereals advertised to children to 11 grams per serving.<ref>[http://www.alegent.com/body.cfm?id=4794&action=detail&ref=45545 "General Mills to Cut Sugar in Kids' Cereals"]. [[Alegent Health System]].</ref>

In April 2011, General Mills announced that it will switch all 1 million eggs it uses each year to cage-free.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2011/04/general_mills_04202011.html|publisher=Humane Society|title=General Mills Announces New Cage-Free Egg Commitment|date=April 20, 2011|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref>

General Mills was ranked #181 on the 2012 [[Fortune 500]] list of America's largest corporations,<ref>{{cite news|title=Fortune 500 – Full List|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2012/full_list/index.html| work = [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> 161 in 2015 and was the third-largest food consumer products company in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fortune 500 – Industries|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2012/industries/198/index.html| work = [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> During June 2012, the company's vice-president for diversity stated that General Mills opposes a Minnesota amendment banning gay marriage, stating that the company values "inclusion".<ref>Staff (June 14, 2012). [https://web.archive.org/web/20120615092406/http://lifeinc.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/14/12225303-general-mills-against-amendment-banning-gay-marriage?lite "General Mills against amendment banning gay marriage"]. [[MSNBC]]. Retrieved August 24, 2012.</ref> The company received positive feedback for its stand which might attract people to its global workforce.<ref>{{cite news|author=Brucato, Cyndy|date=June 18, 2012|title=Why General Mills didn't get hammered for speaking out on marriage amendment|url=http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/06/why-general-mills-didn%E2%80%99t-get-hammered-speaking-out-marriage-amendment|work=[[MinnPost.com]]|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531050225/http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2012/06/why-general-mills-didn%E2%80%99t-get-hammered-speaking-out-marriage-amendment|archive-date=May 31, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The company announced in September 2014 that it would acquire organic food producer [[Annie's Homegrown|Annie's Inc.]] for a fee of around $820 million, as part of its strategy to expand in the US natural foods market.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-annie-s-offer-idUSKBN0H328Q20140908 General Mills to buy organic food producer Annie's for $820 million]. [[Reuters]], September 9, 2014</ref> In October 2014, General Mills announced plans to cut 700 to 800 jobs, mostly in U.S., in corporate restructuring planned to be completed by the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/01/general-mills-layoffs/16524317/ | title=General Mills plans to cut about 700 to 800 jobs | work=USA Today | access-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:General Mills cereal plant, Buffalo NY.jpg|thumb|General Mills [[cereal]] plant in [[Buffalo, NY]]]]
In 2015, citing climate change, General Mills promised to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent over 10 years.<ref>{{cite press release|title=General Mills announces new commitment on climate change|url=http://www.generalmills.com//en/News/NewsReleases/Library/2015/August/Climate%20Commitment/f2d31e87-0ab9-42ea-a1af-b97d301e8ad8|date=August 30, 2015|publisher=General Mills|access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Behr, Jonathan|title=Why General Mills is tackling global warming|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-general-mills-is-tackling-global-warming/|date=September 3, 2015|work=CBS News|access-date=September 4, 2015}}</ref> In December 2016, the company announced it would be restructuring, splitting into four business groups based on global region, and cutting as many as 600 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/12/05/general-mills-job-cut/|title=General Mills Plans to Cut 600 Jobs in Global Restructuring|date=December 5, 2016|website=Fortune|access-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref>

In February 2018, the company entered into the pet products industry, paying $8 billion to buy Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-23/general-mills-pays-steep-price-to-get-into-high-growth-business|title=General Mills Pays Steep Price to Get Into High-Growth Business|last=Giammona|first=Craig|date=February 23, 2018|website=Bloomberg|access-date=February 23, 2018}}</ref> As of 2018, the company ranked 182nd on the [[Fortune 500]] list of the largest United States corporations by revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/list|title=Fortune 500 Companies 2018: Who Made the List|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-22|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502115903/http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Having launched its first [[regenerative agriculture]] pilot program in March 2019, the company has plans to improve [[soil health]] on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030 and has formed a partnership with Regrow Agriculture, a software and [[data analysis]] company that uses [[satellite imagery]], [[Meteorology|weather data]], and soil data to measure [[carbon sequestration]] in [[Soil carbon|soil]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Holger|first=Dieter|date=February 28, 2023|title=Food Companies Look to Measure How Soil Captures Carbon|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/food-companies-look-to-measure-how-soil-captures-carbon-6294e8de|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Olick|first=Diana|date=July 11, 2023|title=General Mills is paying this agriculture tech startup to help make Cheerios greener|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/general-mills-is-paying-this-startup-to-help-make-cheerios-greener.html|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref>

In February 2020, General Mills was recognized by [[Carbon Disclosure Project|CDP]] as a global leader in corporate sustainability and received a place on the CDP "A List" for both climate change and [[water security]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/general-mills-awarded-prestigious-cdp-171200180.html|title=General Mills Awarded Prestigious CDP A List Awards for Climate and Water Actions for Second Consecutive Year|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-17}}</ref>

On May 15, 2021, General Mills announced that it was acquiring [[Tyson Foods]]'s pet treat business, including True Chews, Nudges and Top Chews, for $1.2 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owens |first1=Nathan |title=Tyson, General Mills hit pet-treat deal |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/may/15/tyson-general-mills-hit-pet-treat-deal/ |access-date=13 January 2022 |work=Arkansas Online |date=15 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The acquisition was completed on July 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Owens |first1=Nathan |title=Cereal-maker ties up Tyson pet-treat deal |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jul/07/cereal-maker-ties-tyson-pet-treat-deal/?bcsubid=9c4fc31e-d6d5-43da-8e41-4d241f403b2d&pbdialog=reg-wall-login-created-ao |access-date=13 January 2022 |work=Arkansas Online |date=7 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2022, there were increasing news reports and complaints that the company's Lucky Charms cereal was somehow making individuals ill, with the most common complaints being gastrointestinal in nature, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The episodes have not yet resulted in a company- or FDA-initiated recall; an FDA spokesperson said they were investigating approximately 100 reports. These reports came as norovirus was circulating in some areas of the U.S. It is relatively rare for cereals, as opposed to other foods, to be contaminated by microbes, because they must be baked, although it is possible if conditions are unsanitary.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-fda-lucky-charms-20220418-2il5ntylkvb2bkvlmq7nf3zoia-story.html | title=FDA investigating Lucky Charms after reports of illness | website=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=April 18, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fda-investigating-whether-lucky-charms-is-making-people-sick/ar-AAWl2YE?ocid=BingNewsSearch | title=FDA investigating whether Lucky Charms is making people sick | website=[[MSN]] }}</ref>

On May 12, 2022, General Mills announced that it was acquiring TNT Crust, a supplier of frozen pizza crusts, from Peak Rock Capital.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reilly |first1=Mark |title=General Mills buys frozen pizza supplier TNT Crust from Peak Rock Capital |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2022/05/11/general-mills-tnt-crust-acquisition.html |access-date=12 May 2022 |work=www.bizjournals.com |date=12 May 2022}}</ref>

On May 25, 2022, General Mills announced that it was selling its [[Hamburger Helper]] and Suddenly Salad businesses to [[Eagle Brand|Eagle Family Foods Group]] for $610 million. The sale was completed on July 5, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2022 |title=General Mills Completes Sale Of Helper And Suddenly Salad Businesses |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220705005113/en/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=Business Wire}}</ref>

On November 9, 2023, General Mills acquired a pet supplement business, Fera Pets, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=General Mills Acquires Fera Pets, Inc., Introduces Growth Fund |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231109456167/en/General-Mills-Acquires-Fera-Pets-Inc.-Introduces-Growth-Fund |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

On September 12, 2024, General Mills announced that it would sell its North American yogurt division to [[Lactalis|Groupe Lactalis]] and Sodiaal. Lacatlis would buy the US brands while Sodiaal would by the Canadian brands which would be completed by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investors.generalmills.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/General-Mills-Announces-Agreements-to-Sell-Its-North-American-Yogurt-Business-to-Lactalis-and-Sodiaal/|title= General Mills Announces Agreements to Sell Its North American Yogurt Business to Lactalis and Sodiaal|work =General Mills, Inc.|date=12 September 2024|access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref> The sale for its Canadian yogurt division was completed on January 27, 2025, officially bringing all of Yoplait's international operations under Sodiaal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://investors.generalmills.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/General-Mills-Completes-Sale-of-Canadian-Yogurt-Business-and-Updates-Fiscal-2025-Outlook-for-Recent-Portfolio-Reshaping-Activity/default.aspx|title=General Mills Completes Sale of Canadian Yogurt Business and Updates Fiscal 2025 Outlook for Recent Portfolio Reshaping Activity|date=2025-01-27|access-date=2025-04-15|work=General Mills}}</ref>

==Brands==

===Breakfast cereals===
General Mills's breakfast cereals include:
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* Basic 4
* [[Monster Cereals|Boo-Berry]]
* Cascadian Farm
* [[Cheerios]] and its variants
* [[Chex]] and its variants
* [[Cinnamon Toast Crunch]]
* [[Cocoa Puffs]]
* [[Cookie Crisp]]
* [[Monster Cereals|Count Chocula]]
* [[Fiber One|Fiber One / Fibre One]]
* [[Monster Cereals|Franken-Berry]]
* [[French Toast Crunch]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/12/08/news/french-toast-crunch/index.html|title=French Toast Crunch cereal is back|author=Gregory Wallace|date=December 8, 2014|work=CNNMoney}}</ref>
* Gold Flakes
* Honey Nut Clusters
* [[Kix (cereal)|Kix]]
* [[Lucky Charms]]
* Morning Summit<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/02/20/cereal-13-box-general-mills-offers-morning-summit-option/4817525002/|title=Is $13 too much for a box of cereal? General Mills doesn't think so|publisher=USA Today|author=Dalvin Brown|date=2020-02-20|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref>
* [[Oatmeal Crisp]]
* Raisin Nut Bran
* [[Reese's Puffs]]
* Total
* [[Trix (cereal)|Trix]]
* [[Wheaties]]
{{div col end}}

Some brands are marketed outside the US and Canada by the [[Cereal Partners]] joint venture using the [[Nestlé]] brand.<ref name='cerealpartners' />

==== Cereal collaborations ====
General Mills' past and current cereal collaborations include:

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Cereal name
!Collaboration with
!Date launched
|-
|Hershey Kisses Cereal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Jenny G. |date=2020-01-06 |title=New Hershey's/General Mills Collaboration Is Cereal the '90s Way: Breakfast Candy |url=https://www.eater.com/2020/1/6/21051651/hersheys-general-mills-cereal-collaboration-reeses-jolly-ranchers-breakfast |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Eater |language=en}}</ref>
|[[The Hershey Company|Hershey's]]
|January 2020
|-
|IHOP Blueberry and Syrup Mini Pancake Cereal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramsay |first=G. |date=2022-12-05 |title=IHOP Unveils New Blueberry & Syrup Mini Pancake Cereal |url=https://www.fastfoodpost.com/ihop-unveils-new-blueberry-syrup-mini-pancake-cereal/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=The Fast Food Post |language=en-US}}</ref>
|IHOP
|December 2022
|-
|Kelce Mix Cereal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hauari |first=Gabe |title=Travis and Jason Kelce team up with General Mills to create Kelce Mix Cereal: Here's what it is |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/07/19/travis-jason-kelce-general-mills-cereal-mix/74468753007/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[Travis Kelce|Travis]] and [[Jason Kelce]]
|September 2024
|}

===Grain snacks===
The company's grain-snack brands include:

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Bugles (snack)|Bugles]]
* Cascadian Farms
* [[Chex Mix]]
* [[Gardetto's]]
* [[Nature Valley]]
* [[Fiber One|Fiber One / Fibre One bars]]
{{div col end}}

===Baking goods===
The company's baking-goods brands include:

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Betty Crocker]]
* [[Bisquick]] (now a Betty Crocker brand)
* Gold Medal Flour
* [[Jus-Rol]]
* Knack & Back
* La Salteña
* [[Pillsbury Company|Pillsbury]]
* V. Pearl
{{div col end}}

It also produces [[fruit snacks]], including [[Fruit by the Foot]], [[Fruit Gushers]], [[Fruit Roll-Ups]], and Fruit Shapes.

===Meal products===
The company's meal products brands include:
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Betty Crocker]]
* [[William Underwood Company|Diablitos Underwood]]
* [[Old El Paso]]
* [[Wanchai Ferry (brand)|Wanchai Ferry]]

{{div col end}}

===Organic food===
It also produces [[organic food]]s, via [[Cascadian Farm]], which they took over when they bought Small Planet Foods, and Muir Glen. More recently, as of 2014, it has purchased [[Annie's Homegrown]].

=== Other brands ===
Other company brands include Annie's, Blue Buffalo, Frescarini, Latina, Tiki Pets,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 14, 2024 |title=General Mills to acquire Whitebridge Pet Brands for $1.45 bln |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/general-mills-acquire-whitebridge-pet-brands-145-bln-2024-11-14/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> [[Totino's]], [[Totino's|Jeno's]], [[Progresso]], [[Colombo Yogurt|Colombo]] and [[Lärabar]]. It also produces [[Häagen-Dazs]] ice cream outside of the U.S. and Canada. General Mills acquired the meat-based brand Epic Provisions in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/13415667/1/general-mills-hankering-for-organic-meat-snacks-buys-epic-provisions.html|title=General Mills, craving organic meat snacks, buys Epic Provisions|date=January 7, 2016 |publisher=The Street|access-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref>

=== Discontinued brands ===
General Mills brands no longer manufactured include:

{{div col|colwidth=22.5em}}
* Banana Wackies / Wackies (introduced 1965; discontinued 1968)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5VmrlrcfsA| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527045055/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5VmrlrcfsA| archive-date=2015-05-27 | url-status=dead|title=1965 General Mills Banana Wackies cereal TV commercial (15 seconds)|date=March 19, 2013|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* [[Baron von Redberry]] and [[Sir Grapefellow]] (introduced 1972, discontinued 1975)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gra0xgRK_O8| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021054302/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gra0xgRK_O8&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2013-10-21 | url-status=dead|title=1972 Baron Von Redberry cereal w/iron-on patches promotion TV commercial|date=April 8, 2012|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Benefit (which contained [[psyllium]], an Indian-grown grain used as a laxative and cholesterol-reducer)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=1156|title=Benefit Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Body Buddies (introduced 1979; two flavors, Brown Sugar & Honey and Natural Fruit Flavor)<ref name="grub.gunaxin.com">{{cite web|url=http://grub.gunaxin.com/a-tribute-to-discontinued-cereals/11570|title=A Tribute to Discontinued Cereals|work=Gunaxin Grub|date=March 5, 2009|access-date=March 30, 2014|archive-date=August 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823114334/https://grub.gunaxin.com/a-tribute-to-discontinued-cereals/11570|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Buc Wheats cereal|Buc Wheats]]<ref name="grub.gunaxin.com"/>
* Buñuelitos ("Sweetened [[corn puffs]] with cinnamon and a touch of honey... Traditional south of the border flavor made right here in the U.S.A.")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=1521|title=Bunuelitos Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Chocolate Flavor Donutz (introduced 1982; discontinued 1984)
* Circus Fun (introduced 1986; discontinued 1989)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv2f9pBeCMY| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/tv2f9pBeCMY| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=1986 General Mills Circus Fun cereal commercial.|date=July 2, 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[Clackers cereal|Clackers]] (introduced 1968; discontinued 1973)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAqqvpPUdoo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/kAqqvpPUdoo| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=VINTAGE TV COMMERCIAL - CLACKERS CEREAL - MAN TRYING TO KARATE CHOP A CLACKERS BOX|date=November 30, 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> - graham cracker-flavored
* Clusters (introduced 1987)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=1162|title=Clusters Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Country Corn Flakes (introduced 1961)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKSmj2g8shs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/OKSmj2g8shs| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=Country Corn Flakes Commercial (1963)|date=September 12, 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Crazy Cow - A chocolate corn cereal which resembles cocoa puffs (introduced 1978, discontinued, 1980)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5HouTGVmFk| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105040518/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5HouTGVmFk&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2012-11-05 | url-status=dead|title=1978 Crazy Cow Cereal TV commercial|date=November 8, 2011|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Crispy Wheats 'n Raisins (introduced 1980)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O7Lgi1IhNw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/6O7Lgi1IhNw| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=1986 General Mills Crispy Wheats 'n Raisins cereal commercial.|date=July 2, 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[E.T.]] Cereal (introduced 1984, discontinued 1986)<ref name="urlesque.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.urlesque.com/2011/03/02/54-vintage-cereals/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302124917/http://www.urlesque.com/2011/03/02/54-vintage-cereals/|title=54 Cereals We Loved and Lost - A Tribute|archive-date=March 2, 2012|work=Urlesque}}</ref>
* [[Fingos]] ("The Cereal Made to Eat with Your Fingers")<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* Frosty O's (introduced 1959; discontinued 1979)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNnIIqTxjZE| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529012025/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNnIIqTxjZE| archive-date=2015-05-29 | url-status=dead|title=FROSTY O'S CEREAL COMMERCIAL 1966|date=March 15, 2010|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* [[General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals|Fruit Brute]] (introduced 1974; discontinued 1982)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR3vQbuqej4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/aR3vQbuqej4| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=FRUIT BRUTE! The First one!|date=July 19, 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals|Fruity Yummy Mummy]]<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIuZDftRFvg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/rIuZDftRFvg| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=First Yummy Mummy!|date=May 23, 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Goodness Pack, an assortment of eight single-serving boxes of different cereals,<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTg2TQ0C8Wk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/OTg2TQ0C8Wk| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=1959 General Mills Cereal Commercials Rocky and Bullwinkle 2|date=January 14, 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> designed to compete with [[Kellogg's]] and [[Post Cereals]] assortments
* Harmony<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=182|title=Harmony Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Hi-Pro (introduced 1958; discontinued 1964)
* [[Hidden Treasures (cereal)|Hidden Treasures]]<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* Ice Cream Cones (vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip flavors; introduced 1987, discontinued same year; briefly reintroduced in 2003)<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* Jets (formerly Sugar Jets; discontinued 1974)
* [[Jurassic Park (franchise)|Jurassic Park]] Crunch<ref name="buzzfeed.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/26-cereals-from-the-90s-you-will-never-eat-again|title=26 Cereals From The '90s You'll Never Be Able To Eat Again|work=BuzzFeed|date=May 4, 2013 }}</ref>
* [[Kaboom (breakfast cereal)|Kaboom]] (introduced 1969)
* [[Cheerios|Millenios]] from Cheerios<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=534|title=Millenios Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Mr. Wonderful's Surprise ("Only Cereal with a Creamy Chocolate Filling")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/topic/horror|title=Horror &#124; SYFY WIRE|website=SYFY Official Site|date=December 2023 }}</ref>
* [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]] Cereal<ref name="grub.gunaxin.com"/>
* Neopets Islandberry Crunch (based on the [[Neopets]] online virtual pet community)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=698|title=Neopets Islandberry Crunch Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* [[Pac-Man]] Cereal<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jQkBiU_2rg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/7jQkBiU_2rg| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=Pac-Man cereal commercial (early 80's)|date=December 14, 2006|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Peanut Butter Toast Crunch<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=276|title=Peanut Butter Toast Crunch Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Powdered Donutz (introduced 1981; discontinued 1984)<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* Princess Fairytale Flakes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=743|title=Princess Fairytale Flakes Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* [[Ripple Crisp]]<ref name="buzzfeed.com"/>
* Rocky Road<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* S'Mores Grahams / S'Mores Crunch<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* [[Sprinkle Spangles]]<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* Star Wars Episode II (based on the 2002 film ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=345|title=Star Wars Episode II Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Strawberry Shortcake<ref name="urlesque.com"/>
* Sugar Jets (introduced 1954)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktSzNtxcDXY| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118065150/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktSzNtxcDXY| archive-date=2016-01-18 | url-status=dead|title=1964 Sugar Jets cereal TV commercial (15 seconds)|date=January 22, 2013|via=YouTube}}</ref>
* Sunrise Organic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=1277|title=Sunrise Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* [[Triples (cereal)|Triples]] (introduced 1991)<ref name="buzzfeed.com"/>
* Twinkles (introduced 1960; discontinued 1973)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAAul-1vQAc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/TAAul-1vQAc| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|title=1960's General Mills Twinkles Cereal and Cartoon Commercial|date=May 13, 2013|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* USA Olympic Crunch (a tie-in with the [[1998 Winter Olympics]] in [[Nagano, Nagano|Nagano, Japan]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=1214|title=USA Olympic Crunch Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Wheat Hearts
* Wheat Stax (introduced 1966; discontinued 1971) ("Now there's a cereal you can stack")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=1155|title=Wheat Stax Cereal &#124; MrBreakfast.com|website=www.mrbreakfast.com}}</ref>
* Wheaties Dunk-a-Balls<ref name="buzzfeed.com"/>
{{div col end}}

==Controversies==

=== Association with "anti-diet" movement ===
The company has been associated with social media campaigns and education of dieticians promoting the "anti-diet" movement.  This activity has been connected with helping to promote some of its own foods, which are high in sugar content.<ref>{{Cite news |title=As obesity rises, Big Food and dietitians push 'anti-diet' advice |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/04/03/diet-culture-nutrition-influencers-general-mills-processed-food/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

=== Change to legal terms ===
In April 2014, the company announced that it had changed its [[terms of service|legal terms]] on its website to introduce an [[arbitration clause]] requiring all disputes with General Mills to be resolved in [[small claims court]] or [[arbitration]] and not as a participant in a [[class action]].<ref name="strom">{{cite news |last1=Strom |first1=Stephanie |date=April 16, 2014 |title=When 'Liking' a Brand Online Voids the Right to Sue |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/17/business/when-liking-a-brand-online-voids-the-right-to-sue.html |access-date=July 8, 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="weiss">{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Debra Cassens |date=April 17, 2014 |title=Buying a General Mills product eliminates the right to sue, according to online legal terms |url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/buying_a_general_mills_product_eliminates_the_right_to_sue_according_to_onl/ |access-date=July 8, 2014 |newspaper=Aba Journal |publisher=[[American Bar Association]]}}</ref> The change was made shortly after a judge's March 26, 2014, denial of a motion to dismiss a class action regarding the marketing of the company's Nature Valley brand products.<ref name="weiss" /> Users would be deemed to accept the terms by interacting with General Mills on its website in various ways, such as downloading coupons, subscribing to newsletters, or participating in [[Internet forum]]s hosted on the website.<ref name="sherman">{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Erik |date=April 18, 2014 |title=General Mills adds legal fine print that raises questions |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/general-mills-adds-new-legal-fine-print-that-raises-questions/ |access-date=July 8, 2014 |website=CBS News}}</ref><ref name="strom2">{{cite news |last1=Strom |first1=Stephanie |date=April 17, 2014 |title=General Mills Amends New Legal Policies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/business/general-mills-amends-new-legal-policies.html |access-date=July 8, 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' stated that the agreement could be interpreted to additionally construe purchasing General Mills products at a grocery store or liking the company's Facebook page as assent to the terms;<ref name="strom" /> General Mills disclaimed that interpretation, calling it a "mischaracterization".<ref name="strom2" /><ref name="gray">{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Jeff |date=April 19, 2014 |title=General Mills abandons controversial legal policy to strip consumers of rights |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/the-law-page/general-mills-abandons-controversial-legal-policy-to-strip-consumers-of-rights/article18070962/ |access-date=July 8, 2014 |website=The Globe And Mail}}</ref><ref name="foster">{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Kirstie |date=April 19, 2014 |title=We've listened – and we're changing our legal terms back |url=http://www.blog.generalmills.com/2014/04/weve-listened-and-were-changing-our-legal-terms-back-to-what-they-were/ |access-date=December 9, 2014 |website=generalmills.com |publisher=General Mills}}</ref> The change in terms resulted in a massive backlash of protests via consumer groups and social media, and General Mills reverted the terms back to the original content after only a few days.<ref name="murphy">{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Esme |date=April 20, 2014 |title=Talking Points: General Mills Reverses Lawsuit Change |url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/04/20/talking-points-general-mills-reverses-lawsuit-change/ |access-date=July 8, 2014 |website=CBS Minnesota |publisher=[[WCCO-TV]]}}</ref>

===Involvement in Israeli settlements===
{{See also|List of companies operating in West Bank settlements}}

On February 12, 2020, the [[United Nations]] published a [[List of companies operating in West Bank settlements|database]] of companies doing business related in the [[West Bank]], including [[East Jerusalem]], as well as in the occupied [[Golan Heights]].<ref>{{cite web |date=12 Feb 2020 |title=Database of all business enterprises involved in certain activities relating to Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank (A/HRC/43/71) |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/database-all-business-enterprises-involved-certain-activities |access-date=2021-09-12 |publisher=UN OCHA}}</ref> General Mills was listed on the database on account of the activities of its subsidiary General Mills Israel in [[Israeli settlement]]s in these occupied territories,<ref name="unlist_ohchr">{{cite news |date=12 February 2020 |title=UN rights office issues report on business activities related to settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory |url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25542 |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]}}</ref> which some have argued is [[International law and Israeli settlements|illegal under international law]].<ref name="unsc2334">{{cite news |date=23 December 2016 |title=S/RES/2334(2016) |url=https://undocs.org/S/RES/2334(2016) |access-date=5 July 2021 |work=[[United Nations Security Council]]}}</ref>

As of the update on June 30, 2023, General Mills is no longer involved in [[Israeli settlement]]s and has been removed from the [[United Nations]] [[List of companies operating in West Bank settlements|database]].<ref name="hrc3136">{{cite news |date=30 June 2023 |title=Update HRC3136 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session31/database-hrc3136/23-06-30-Update-israeli-settlement-opt-database-hrc3136.pdf |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Food|Companies}}

*[[List of food companies]]
* [[List of Minnesota companies]]

'''Competitors'''

* [[Kellogg's]]
* [[Post Holdings]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
{{Finance links
| name = General Mills, Inc.
| symbol = GIS
| sec_cik = 40704
| yahoo = GIS
| google = GIS:NYSE
}}
{{Portal bar|Food|Companies|Minnesota|United States}}

{{General Mills}}
{{Minnesota Corporations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:General Mills| ]]
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[[Category:Dairy products companies of the United States]]
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[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Minnesota]]
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[[Category:American companies established in 1856]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies established in 1856]]
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