2014 Global Respon Report
2014 Global Respon Report
2014 Global Respon Report
RESPONSIBILITY
2014
Health
Environment
Sourcing
Workplace
Community
Table of Contents
1 Chairmans letter
2 INTRODUCTION
10 HEALTH
34 ENVIRONMENT
48 SOURCING
11
Overview
35
Overview
49
Overview
13
36
50
12
36
50
30 Educate consumers
68 WORKPLACE
88 COMMUNITY
102 APPENDIX
69
Overview
89
Overview
102
70
90
103
Commitments
70
90
108
GRI Index
96 Improve education
98 Strengthen communities
To our Stakeholders:
As a global food company, General Mills
is positioned not only to create economic
value in the countries where we operate,
but to create social and environmental
value as well. In pursuit of our goal to
stand among the worlds most socially
responsible food companies and to sustain
our business for the long-term, we continue
to improve our practices, our products
and our supply chains as we work to
fulfill our mission of Nourishing Lives.
Ken Powell
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
General Mills
WATCH VIDEO
01
INTRODUCTION
General Mills has been
fulfilling our mission of
Nourishing Lives making
lives healthier, easier and
richer for 147 years.
Our values
Everything we do reflects our strong core values, and we live these values every day around the world.
Play to win
Crescer e inspirar
Grandir et inspirer
Crecer e inspirar
Act boldly,
move quickly
Win as a team
Gagner en quipe
Toujours prendre
une dcision juste
Hacer lo correcto,
en todo momento
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
02
Highlights
10x20
commitment to
sustainably source
100 percent of our
10 priority ingredients
by 2020.
60%
increase in R&D
spending on health and
wellness since 2004.
750+
60
59%
$153
million+
of packaging volume
improved since 2009.
86%
100%
donated to charitable
causes in 2013
General Mills has given
$1 billion+ to charitable
causes worldwide since the
General Mills Foundation
was created in 1954 (US$).
countries honored
General Mills with
workplace awards in
2013, and 86 percent of
our U.S. employees said
that General Mills is a
great place to work.
388 billion
03
$17.8
$1.9
$153
41,000
100+
$5.2
147
Net earnings
Community
contributions
We have been
making lives
healthier, easier
and richer for more
than a century
billion
billion
million
employees
consumer brands
billion
years
04
Food safety
Water stewardship
Transparency
Biotechnology
Food safety
SAFETY Keeping food safe
in the global economy poses
challenges. At General Mills, food safety
is a priority, and we invest to ensure that
our food is safe wherever it is produced or
consumed. General Mills is recognized as
a leader in food safety. We use rigorous
processes and verification systems at
our facilities and audit our suppliers to
increase food safety. We invest 3 percent
of our capital spending each year on foodsafety related projects, including more
than US$15 million in 2013.
05
Sustainable agriculture
Water stewardship and
commodity pricing
SOURCING Through sustainable
sourcing, we are able to create
long-term economic, environmental and
social value. The vitality of our business
depends on access to high-quality
ingredients. Nearly two-thirds of General
Mills greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
and 99 percent of water use occur outside
Transparency
REPORTING We realize the
importance of greater transparency
and are making progress toward this goal.
Steps we are taking include our 2013
materiality assessment, adoption of the
Global Reporting Initiative guidelines in
our reporting and our sustainable sourcing
06
r General Mills is a leading purchaser of oats in the U.S. Oats are a non-GMO crop.
07
Stakeholder
engagement
Increasing
transparency
We are strengthening the global nature of
our reporting by working to standardize
data collection across our operations.
For the third year, we have used
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3.1
Guidelines to help inform our reporting
scope and content. Again this year, we
are including indicators from the GRI
Food Processing Sector Supplement.
Our report is undeclared and is not
externally assured. Looking ahead, we
plan to adopt the G4 Guidelines within
the GRI defined transition period. The
materiality assessment we conducted
in 2013 also will continue to guide the
scope and content of future reports.
Public policy
We recognize the importance of
accountability and transparency regarding
our public policy engagement and political
contributions. Our civic policy describes
our approval process for using corporate
funds for political contributions. The Public
Responsibility Committee of our Board of
Directors oversees the companys political
activity, including our policy, an annual
list of corporate political contributions,
major trade association memberships, and
any independent political expenditures
(although the company has not made any).
A list of our political contributions is made
available on our website. We have been
publicly disclosing this information since
2005. We are a leader in the disclosure
of information we provide about our
public policy engagement. In 2013, the
Center for Political Accountability rating
metric tied General Mills at No. 7 in its
annual ranking of the top 200 companies
in the S&P 500. In addition, we rank
No. 1 in the consumer goods sector.
Report scope
We report our progress on key metrics for
fiscal 2013. For the first time, we include
data from Yoplait S.A.S. and Yoki Alimentos
S.A., which we acquired in fiscal 2013.
The report scope includes global operations
except where otherwise noted.
Report responsibility
The General Mills leadership team,
noted earlier, has responsibility for
the development of this report.
We help increase
sustainability through
our partnerships and
participation in coalitions.
Our efforts include
collaboration with the
World Wildlife Fund and
The Nature Conservancy
and membership in the
Roundtable on Sustainable
Palm Oil, Bonsucro and the
Innovation Center for U.S.
Dairy Sustainability Council.
08
Health
We provide people with
convenient, nutritious food that
when combined with exercise
and activity can help them
live healthier lives. We believe
that a variety of foods plays an
important role in peoples diets,
providing nutrition, taste and
convenience at a reasonable
cost. Improving the health profile
of our products over time and
promoting healthy lifestyles
that balance nutrition and
activity are fundamental to our
mission of Nourishing Lives.
Environment
Our goal is to continually reduce
our environmental footprint. We
focus our efforts on areas where
we can have the greatest impact,
both within our own operations
and outside of them, primarily
in agriculture. Across our global
operations, we work to reduce our
natural resource consumption.
Additionally, we focus on
sustainably sourcing the raw
materials we use in our products.
Sourcing
We are committed to sustainably
sourcing 100 percent of our
10 priority ingredients by
2020 representing more than
50 percent of our annual raw
material purchases. We partner
with industry groups to advance
sustainable sourcing frameworks,
then pilot scalable solutions and
share our findings so others can
refine their efforts. At the same
time, we are improving water
stewardship and reinforcing
socially responsible practices
across our extended supply chain.
Workplace
We foster a safe, ethical, diverse
and inclusive workplace where
our 41,000 employees can thrive.
We respect, develop and invest
in our employees and continue
to improve workplace safety
through our efforts to prevent
injuries and illnesses. We support
our employees in being active,
eating healthy and staying well.
Community
We nourish our communities
globally with remarkable
philanthropy. Our philanthropic
work is an extension of the
companys Nourishing Lives
mission and ties closely to
our companys core business.
We work in innovative ways
with partners locally and
around the world to harness
our collective impact in key
target areas, while engaging
employees through skills-based
and other volunteerism.
09
HEALTH
OUR GOAL is to provide people with
convenient, nutritious food that when
combined with exercise and activity
can help them live healthier lives. We
believe that a variety of foods plays an
important role in peoples diets, providing
nutrition, taste and convenience at a
reasonable cost. Improving the health
profile of our products over time and
promoting healthy lifestyles that balance
nutrition and activity are fundamental
to our mission of Nourishing Lives.
Our strategies
Provide
quality
nutrition
Champion
global food
safety
Educate
consumers
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Overview
Improving nutrition and health Consumers around the world seek nutritious, convenient and affordable food for themselves and their families every day.
There are many challenges to achieving this simple, daily imperative ranging from hunger and malnutrition to obesity.
Vegetables
Dairy
Fiber
FY05
40%
64%
68%
73%
45%
21%
FY06
FY07
FY08
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY13
*products are counted only one time even if improved more than once
At General Mills, we put consumers first. This commitment is reflected in our products such as cereal, yogurt and
vegetables as well as our efforts to educate people about making healthy lifestyle choices. Achieving a balance of
nutrition and activity contributes to consumers overall good health.
Jeff Harmening, General Mills Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Retail
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
11
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
p. 14
n A
ccessible:
We make nutritious
foods convenient and accessible to
consumers in more than 100
countries on six continents.
n E
xpertise:
Our 50 years of
nutrition expertise drives continued
enhancements to our product portfolio.
Educate consumers
p. 30
p. 26
promoting
n N
emours:
12
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
60%
13
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Benefits
More whole grain
More calcium
Vegetables
Yogurt
Snacks
Soup
Impact
WHOLE GRAIN: 235 billion grams of whole grain
shipped by U.S. retail operations and 153 billion grams
produced by Cereal Partners Worldwide (our joint
venture with Nestl)
More fiber
Fewer calories
Less fat
Gluten free
Good value*
*value based on cost per serving
14
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Progress
U.S.: 73 percent of U.S. retail sales
volume nutritionally improved
since 2005 (20 percent in fiscal
2013, including baking, cereal,
dairy, meals and snack foods)
International: 90+ products
nutritionally improved in fiscal 2013
Canada: 45 percent of retail
product portfolio nutritionally
improved since 2010
73%
General Mills has improved
the health profile of nearly
three-quarters of our U.S. retail
sales volume since 2005.
educating consumers about balanced
diets and healthy, active lifestyles
and promoting employee wellness.
Reducing
Reducing calories, fat, saturated fat, trans
fat, sugar or sodium by 10 percent or more
Increasing
Increasing beneficial nutrients
including vitamins, minerals and
fiber by 10 percent or more
Formulating
3% Fiber
18% Trans fat
7% Sugar
Formulating/reformulating
Formulating/reformulating products to meet
specific internal requirements, including
limiting calories, and meeting health or
nutrition claim criteria as defined by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
15
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
8
6
5
2 6
Reformulated products
3
13
11
10
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
9
12
12
13
U.S.
France
UK
Ireland
Sweden
Canada
Brazil
China
Latin America
Caribbean
Middle East
Australia
South Korea
New products
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
U.S.
Canada
Argentina
Australia
UK
France
New Zealand
Norway
Switzerland
3
7
Health is a core growth strategy for General Mills. We continue to focus on providing healthier products through
what we call the trifecta of innovation delivering great taste, with a meaningful health benefit, at an affordable
cost and helping consumers lead healthier lifestyles.
Maha Tahiri, General Mills Chief Health and Wellness Officer and leader of the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
16
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
20+
More than 20
General Mills cereals
have at least 16 grams
of whole grain.
17
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Benefits of cereal
Weight management: People who
eat cereal have healthier body
weights and lower cholesterol.
Whole grain: Cereal is the
No. 1 source of whole grain for
Americans, including children.
Since 2003, our Cereal Partners
Worldwide (CPW) joint venture
with Nestl has increased
global consumption of whole
grain by more than 3.4 billion
servings. Research has shown
that people who eat cereal
17%
30%
23%
20%
15%
14%
3%
Calories Vitamin A Thiamin
Iron
Zinc
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics
(NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. Hyattsville, MD: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
18
HEALTH
contains peas as
the main protein
source and delivers
10 grams of protein without using dairy
or soy. The No. 1 ingredient in our Nature
Valley Protein bar is roasted nuts.
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
COMMUNITY
10%
Benefits of yogurt
WORKPLACE
Benefits of vegetables
Fiber and vitamins:
Americans get as much as
30 percent of their daily
fiber and 50 percent of
their daily vitamin C from
frozen, canned and dry
fruits and vegetables.
Nutrients: Green Giant
vegetables are Picked at the
Frozen vegetables
offer the convenience
of longer shelf life.
Low in fat: Vegetables
are naturally low in fat
and pack a lot of nutrition
in fewer calories.
19
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Reducing sugar
daily discretionary calorie allowance, since
sugar adds calories without contributing
nutrients. Food and beverage companies
around the world are being challenged
to cut the amount of sugar in products.
Impact
Big G cereals: 100 percent of
General Mills cereals marketed
to children contain 10 grams
of sugar or less per serving.
1% Miscellaneous
25% Milk and milk products
4% READY-TO-EAT CEREAL
19% Fruits and vegetables
9% Desserts
r Ready-to-eat cereals account for a relatively small amount of childrens sugar consumption.
United States Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National Center for Health Statistics. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2009-10.
07
9g
1g
2g
3g
9g
9g
9g
13
07
13
07
KEY
9g
9g
3g
5g
4g
14g
14g
12g
6g
9g
13
07
13
9g
9g
6g
0g
20
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
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COMMUNITY
20%
In the U.S., General Mills has
committed to reduce sodium
by 20 percent across our top 10
retail product categories by 2015.
Sodium g/100g
Commitments
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Pack Pack
2008 2009
Pack
2010
Pack
2011
Pack
2012
Pack
2013
Pack
2014
v Green Giant is
lowering the salt in
its canned vegetables
by 5 to 35 percent across
Europe, Russia, Africa
and the Middle East.
This sodium reduction
effort has already
been implemented
in 90 percent of
Green Giant products
including sweet corn,
artichokes and hearts of
palm in these markets.
21
HEALTH
Improving health by
reducing trans fat
Impact
90+ percent of U.S. retail products
labeled as zero grams trans fat
Zero trans fat from partially
hydrogenated oils used
in U.K. products
Challenge: While dietary fats are essential
for energy, nutrient absorption and to
support cell growth, many people consume
more fat than they need. The American
Heart Association recommends limiting
consumption of trans fats to less than
1 percent of a persons total daily calories.
Our role: General Mills has successfully
reformulated a number of products to
reduce or remove trans fat while maintaining
the quality and taste consumers expect.
U.S.: Since 2008, we have reduced trans
fat to zero grams in more than 270 of
our U.S. retail products, including Betty
Crocker Rich & Creamy Frosting, Pillsbury
Toaster Strudel, Toaster Scrambles, low-fat
Pillsbury breads, reduced-fat crescents,
reduced-fat sweet rolls, reduced-fat
biscuits, and the Simply... line of cookies,
bread and biscuits. All Totinos Pizza and
Pizza Rolls snacks are now labeled zero
grams trans fat. We continue to reduce
our use of partially hydrogenated oils.
Australia: Our Latina Fresh ready-to-eat
meals now offer healthier options in
single-serving packs that are 97 percent
Improving health by
reducing calories
Impact
500+ General Mills U.S. retail
products (33 percent) have 100
calories or less per serving
800+ General Mills U.S. retail
products (50 percent) have 150
calories or less per serving.
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
50%
22
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
Cereal
Peanut Butter
Toast Crunch
Fiber One
80 Calories Chocolate
17 grams of whole
grain per serving
11 grams of whole
grain per serving
U.S.
U.S.
23
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Dairy
Yoplait Yopa!
Greek yogurt
Yoplait Source
Greek yogurt
Yoplait Greek
blended yogurt
Go-GURT
Twisted yogurt
150 calories
U.S.
U.S.
CANADA
BFast
(JULY 2013)
CANADA
(JUNE 2013)
U.S.
(JUNE 2013)
Meals
Wanchai Ferry
dumplings
Old El Paso
Casserole mix
Progresso Heart
Healthy soups
La Saltea Light
Pastas Healthy Line
Latina Fresh
pasta varieties
Old El Paso
Mini Tortillas
Encouraging
scratch cooking in a
convenient manner
Reduced fat
CHINA (HONG
KONG MARKET)
(SEPTEMBER 2013)
U.K.
U.S.
ARGENTINA
U.K.
AUSTRALIA
(JULY 2013)
24
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
Snacks
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Healthier indulgences
Fiber One
Protein bars
Cascadian Farm
Crunchy Granola bars
Nature Valley
Sweet and Nutty bars
Hagen-Dazs
sorbets
17 grams of whole
grain per serving
Organic, 23 grams
of whole grain,
7 ingredients
Non-fat
Gluten free
U.S.
U.S.
EUROPE
U.S.
(JUNE 2013)
U.S.
25
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Commitment
US$25+ million food safety
spending in 2013 (10 percent
of essential capital investment
on average each year for food
safety-related projects)
600+ trained quality professionals
and 50+ certified quality engineers
monitoring food safety worldwide
100 percent of General Mills
facilities certified using globally
recognized food safety criteria
90+ percent of products
worldwide from third-party
audited and/or certified facilities
Challenge: Keeping food safe in a
global economy poses challenges.
Public awareness around food safety
has increased in the aftermath of highprofile incidents of tainted food, such
as peanut butter in the U.S. and baby
food in China. While those incidents are
unrelated to General Mills, we understand
Building global
capacity
Expectations: As General Mills operations
expand around the world, we carry
with us the food safety processes and
expectations we have been developing
for more than half a century. Our
standards are the same in developed
and developing countries, though the
food safety challenges vary widely across
locations. We tailor our training accordingly,
building the capacity to ensure globally
harmonized food safety standards.
Collaboration: Our investment in food
safety education around the world includes
our suppliers, partners, industry peers
Global systems
Expertise: Our food safety systems
focus on prevention, intervention and
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
26
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Governance
and auditing
Detailed policies: Governance of General
Mills food safety and regulatory matters
begins with a corporate policy signed
by our Chief Executive Officer. This
corporate policy is further supported by
an additional set of 16 detailed policies
with accompanying standards and
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
1970s
Developed food
safety program for
quality engineers at
production facilities
1960s
Established food
safety, quality and
regulatory policies
and standards
Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control
(HACCP) process
developed
1980
Established food
safety regulatory
affairs role
1996
2006
Pioneered food
allergen labeling
on all products
Established internal
food safety training
academy
2008
2013
Initiated global
food safety
supplier schools
Surveyed employees
about global food
safety culture
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Points (HACCP) process
More than 50 years ago, The Pillsbury Company
(prior to acquisition by General Mills) developed
the HACCP approach with NASA for ensuring food
safety. The HACCP approach identifies key stages in
production where food safety risks can be minimized
or eliminated. Today, HACCP has become the food
industrys gold standard and the backbone of many
countries food safety regulations around the world.
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
27
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Strategy: people
and processes
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Theres nothing more precious than the food we put in our bodies and serve to our loved ones, families and friends.
The trust people have in our brands is at the heart of our company - and it all starts with food safety. Food safety is
part of each of our jobs at General Mills. We focus on food safety everywhere: in every country, every brand, every
package, all the time. Peter Erickson, General Mills Executive Vice President, Innovation, Technology and Quality
28
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
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COMMUNITY
Impact
768 supplier audits conducted
in 2013 a fourfold increase
from 2008
138 co-manufacturer audits
conducted in 2013
Fivefold reduction in ingredient
suppliers classified as high
risk from 2010 to 2013
800 suppliers trained through
eight supplier schools since 2009
r More than 80 attendees participated in this food safety supplier school General Mills conducted in
Mumbai, India, in September 2013.
29
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
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COMMUNITY
Educate consumers
Projected impact
Nearly 1 million youth reached
through Champions for Healthy
Kids initiatives promoting
nutrition/fitness since 2002
50 million students and 90
percent of U.S. schools reached
by 2020 through Presidential
Youth Fitness Program
30,000 children and 300 programs
targeted through early childhood
partnership with Nemours
Promoting nutrition/
activity balance
In the U.S., we support initiatives that
raise awareness about the importance
of balancing good nutrition and physical
Addressing
overconsumption
In developed
economies
such as the U.S.,
where many
people consume
more calories
than they need,
we support efforts aimed at achieving a
balanced diet. General Mills helps promote
Dietary Guidelines for Americans through
our strategic partnership with the USDA
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
As part of this combined effort between
government and industry, our Bell Institute
of Health and Nutrition helps equip health
professionals and consumers with practical
nutrition tips in the context of Dietary
Guidelines to help encourage healthy eating
habits. Learn more at ChooseMyPlate.gov.
FP8
30
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Promoting vegetable
consumption
General Mills actively encourages
consumption of vegetables as
part of a balanced diet.
Europe: Our Green Giant business in
Europe is expanding its promotion of
the 5-a day message encouraging
daily intake of five servings of fruits
and vegetables across the U.K., France
and Spain. The messages appear on
product packaging, in stores and online.
r Green Giant Veggie Blend-Ins provide an easy way for consumers to blend vegetables into meals,
snacks and desserts.
Providing nutrition
information
General Mills product packaging provides
clear nutrition information for consumers
who want access to information that will
help them construct a healthy diet.
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
31
HEALTH
$550 million
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Reinforcing healthy choices in Canada: World without dieting mentoring and awareness campaign
As part of General Mills focus on
balancing nutrition and physical activity,
our Multi-Grain Cheerios business in
Canada has launched an integrated
communications campaign about the
downside of dieting and the importance
of living a healthier, more balanced
life. The campaign encourages adults
to serve as role models and help end
dieting for the next generation by
taking the Never Say Dieting Oath.
This recent initiative is part of our
Generation Healthy campaign that
aims to make the next generation
healthier in a variety of ways. Since the
campaign launched in September 2013,
sales of Multi-Grain Cheerios across
Canada have increased 7 percent. The
WATCH VIDEO
r This commercial invites consumers to
help make the next generation healthier
by taking the Never Say Dieting Oath.
WATCH VIDEO
r Champion Canadian rower and author
Silken Laumann takes the Never Say
Dieting Oath for her daughter, Kate.
WATCH VIDEO
r This video reinforces the importance of
helping girls avoid the dieting roller-coaster.
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
32
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
Global: Commitment to
International Food and
Beverage Alliance pledge
U.S.: Full compliance with
Childrens Food and Beverage
Advertising Initiative guidelines
One excellent example emanating from the platform is the EU PledgeThe effectiveness of the Pledge is made evident
by the latest monitoring reportwhich showed a downward trend in childrens exposure to food advertising.
Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health & Consumer Policy (June 2013)
33
ENVIRONMENT
OUR GOAL is to continually reduce
our environmental footprint. We focus
our efforts on areas where we can have
the greatest impact, both within our
own operations and outside of them,
primarily in agriculture. Across our global
operations, we work to reduce our natural
resource consumption. Additionally, we
focus on sustainably sourcing the raw
materials we use in our products.
Our strategies
Reduce resource
usage in our
operations
Increase
sustainability
of ingredients
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Overview
2013 progress: We continue working toward our fiscal 2015
goal of achieving significant, measurable reductions in energy
usage, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage and
other sustainability metrics. In fiscal 2013, our rates now
incorporate the acquisitions of Yoplait International and Yoki
Alimentos SA. Our most significant improvements were in the
areas of GHG, transportation fuel usage and packaging. We
remain committed to making progress toward our goals.
Impact of acquisitions
The recent acquisitions of Yoplait International and Yoki have had a material impact
on our volume, and hence our sustainability metrics.
Yoplait International:
High water use in yogurt
manufacturing and associated
cooling systems led to a significant
increase in our water usage rates.
Yoki:
Significant use of renewable energy sources resulted
in a reduction in our reportable GHG emissions rates
associated with fossil fuels. This acquisition enabled us
to reach our 20 percent GHG reduction goal.
Performance dashboard
20%
9%
10%
20%
9%
20%
20%
11%
-22%
50%
42%
40%
35%
24%
24%
60%
58%
59%
* Energy, GHG emissions, water and solid waste generation absolute and rate-based data in this section are from wholly owned production facilities globally. Transportation
fuel use data covers outbound shipments in the United States by our logistics service providers. Packaging improvement data are global.
** Water usage rate goal and progress are based on fiscal 2006 baseline data. Transportation fuel usage rate and packaging improvement rate goals and progress are based on fiscal 2009 baseline.
35
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Strategy: Two key business strategies inform our approach to reducing our environmental
impact. The first is Continuous Improvement (CI), which focuses on loss elimination
and prevention. CI encourages employee ownership of company processes from plant
production workers to our executive management team to eliminate and prevent waste,
including time and effort. The second is Holistic Margin Management (HMM), which calls
on cross-functional teams to understand the value drivers for our brands and eliminate
nonvalue-added costs. In addition to improvements in environmental performance, savings
from these initiatives enable us to offset inflation increases in our raw material costs
which, in turn, help us to keep our consumer prices stable and to invest in innovation.
Our companywide goal which includes environmental and non-environmental initiatives
is to accrue US$4 billion in HMM savings between fiscal 2010 and 2020. To date, sustainability
initiatives have contributed substantially to our progress against this goal. Since 2005, our
North American operations have saved more than US$60 million through proactive
environmental management, CI and HMM tools to make our plants more efficient and
environmentally sustainable.
p. 38
Increase sustainability
of ingredients
p. 47
Investment: General Mills invests in creating shareholder return while reducing our
environmental footprint. Each year, we invest millions of dollars in cost savings projects to
reduce energy and water usage.
Measurement: To pinpoint areas of greatest energy and water usage across our most
resource-intensive production facilities, we have installed metering equipment for specific
equipment and processes. This investment has helped us identify and implement energy and
water saving improvements. At our Big G cereal facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, for example, our
investment in a steam meter and dew-point sensor helped us to reduce steam usage by nearly
50 percent, saving US$70,000 annually.
36
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
SOURCING
Installing meters
and sensors
Our investment in meters
and sensors enables precise
measurement of water, natural
gas, electricity, compressed air and
steam usage as well as dew point.
We use this data to target
resource reduction efforts.
37
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Billion kwh
3.0
700
2.5
600
GOAL
2.0
400
1.5
300
1.0
200
0.5
0.0
500
100
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Direct
Indirect
2011
2012
2013* 2013**
2015
Progress
38
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
r Solar power in China: Our facility in Guangzhou uses solar power to heat water for hand
washing systems.
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
380,000 kwh
In China, we have implemented a
series of energy initiatives at our
facility in Guangzhou. These
initiatives include the upgrade
of lighting equipment, which is
saving 380,000 kilowatt hours
per year, and replacing a diesel
fuel boiler with a more energy
efficient gas boiler, saving more
than 1,300 tons of fuel annually.
39
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
0.25
1,000,000
Progress
GOAL
800,000
0.20
0.15
600,000
0.10
400,000
0.05
200,000
0
Scope 1
Scope 2
2011
2012
2013* 2013**
2015
HEALTH
SOURCING
18
16
4.0
14
3.5
12
3.0
10
2.5
WORKPLACE
4.5
GOAL 2.0
1.5
1.0
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY
0.5
2009 2010
2011
2012
41
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Progress
GOAL: 50 percent reduction in
solid waste generation rate by
2015 (2005 baseline)
SOLID WASTE: .034 metric tons
per metric ton of product in 2013
(1 percent decrease from 2012)
DIVERSION: 86 percent of
solid waste diverted from landfills
in North America in 2013
Reuse, composting
and recycling
Reuse: We currently reuse or recycle
the majority of all our waste. This
continued focus on waste has moved
disposal from a cost to a revenue generator,
earning a record US$9.7 million net
revenue in 2013 for our North American
operations. For example, our North
American plants reused neary 8,000
metric tons of cardboard boxes and totes in
2013, returning over US$900,000 back to
our facilities. We double the value of each
EN22
n
n
n
n
n
R
ecycling 71%
L andfill 14%
R
euse 14%
Incineration (Incl. energy recovery) <1%
C
omposting <1%
42
Metric tons
0.06
250,000
0.05
200,000
0.04
150,000
GOAL
0.03
100,000
0.02
50,000
0.01
2011
2012
2013* 2013**
2015
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
HEALTH
COMMUNITY
86%
We currently reuse or recycle
86 percent of all waste from our
North American operations.
r Employees deposit organic waste at collection
stations to be converted into compost.
WORKPLACE
43
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
In 2013, we donated more than 14,500 metric tons of surplus food to U.S. charitable
organizations feeding hundreds of thousands of people rather than recycling the food
(such as using it for animal feed) or sending food waste to landfills. Examples include:
EN22, EN27
n 4
48,000 cases of snacks products
n 6
40,800 cases of Yoplait products
n 2
50,400 cases of Big G
cereal products
n 5
92,800 cases of dry meals
Fuel efficiency
strategies
n O
ptimizing modes of
transportation
n I mproving logistics planning
n C
ollaborating with suppliers
to streamline shipments
Progress
65%
60%
0%
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
44
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
v We improved the
packaging used to
ship Old El Paso taco
spice mix to retailers
in Nordic markets.
45
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Progress
REVISED GOAL: 60 percent
global packaging volume improved
by 2015 (initial 40 percent
goal exceeded in 2012)
IMPROVEMENT: 59 percent
improved through 2013
(2009 baseline)
VOLUME: 90+ percent packaging
volume improved by cereal
businesses
LABELING: Expanded
How2Recycle labeling to
additional brands
Approach: Our internal Packaging Metric
indicators measure our progress as we
reduce the environmental impact of
our packaging. The Packaging Metric
indicators assess: packaging weight;
recycled content and recyclability;
renewable and compostable
content; and truckload efficiency.
Packaging weight
Innovation is key to reducing the
packaging-to-product ratio across our
portfolio. In Arras, France, for example,
we reduced the weight of all of our 473
milliliter (ml) and 500 ml Hagen-Dazs
containers by 10 percent as of August
2013. By reducing carton thickness, we
are removing more than 80 metric tons
from the packaging waste
stream in Europe.
v We reduced the thickness of
Hagen-Dazs packaging in Europe.
Recycled content
and recyclability
Recycled content: Recycled content
represents approximately half the
weight of the packaging we use
for our U.S. products. We continue
pursuing opportunities to increase
our use of recycled materials while
maintaining product quality and safety.
Recyclability: We are adding How2Recycle
labels on more of our U.S. retail products
Packaging Metric
We use four key indicators to
assess packaging improvement:
PACKAGING WEIGHT reducing
the package-to-product ratio
RECYCLED CONTENT increasing
recycled content and recyclability
RENEWABLE CONTENT increasing
renewable and compostable content
Renewable content
General Mills was one of the first companies to step up with support for the How2Recycle Label Program. That support has
helped us grow participation and understanding of specific aspects of packaging and recyclability labeling. The Yoplait multipack label was the first package to use all three of the main label types (Widely Recycled, Check Locally Limited Recycling,
and Not Yet Recycled) clearly showing the value of transparent and clear communication with consumers.
Anne Bedarf, Senior Manager, GreenBlues Sustainable Packaging Coalition
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
46
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
EN2
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
47
SOURCING
OUR GOAL is to sustainably source
the raw materials we use in our products.
We are committed to sustainably sourcing
100 percent of our 10 priority ingredients by
2020 representing more than 50 percent of
our annual raw material purchases. We partner
with multi-stakeholder groups to advance
sustainable sourcing frameworks, then pilot
scalable solutions and share our findings so
others can refine their efforts. At the same
time, we are improving water stewardship
and reinforcing socially responsible practices
across our extended supply chain.
Our strategies
Increase
sustainability
of ingredients
Collaborate
to improve
global water
stewardship
Advance
socially
responsible
supply chains
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Overview
As part of General Mills long-term sustainable sourcing strategy, we announced in September 2013 our commitment to sustainably source
100 percent of our 10 priority ingredients by 2020. These ingredients represent 50 percent of General Mills total raw material purchases. Through
our focus on sustainable sourcing, we are tackling the areas of greatest environmental impact in our supply chain. Nearly two-thirds of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions and 99 percent of water use occurs outside General Mills operations, primarily in agriculture. Because our sustainable sourcing strategy
focuses on creating economic, environmental and social value, we are working with smallholder farmers in developing economies and larger-scale growers
in developed economies to address challenges and pursue opportunities unique to each growing region. We also are advancing responsible sourcing
practices across our supply chains to respect human rights and protect animal welfare.
Vanilla
Developed world
Cocoa
Oats
U.S. wheat
WATCH VIDEO
r Watch this video to learn more about our
10x20 commitment to sustainably source our
10 priority ingredients by 2020.
Palm oil
Sugarcane
Fiber packaging
Performance dashboard
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
Assessment
Strategy
formation
PHASE 3
PHASE 4
Transformation
SUGARCANE
CORN
DAIRY
Monitoring
& evaluation
VANILLA
COCOA
OATS
SUGAR
BEETS
FIBER
PACKAGING
WHEAT
PALM OIL
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Increase sustainability
of ingredients
p. 51
in developed economies
Collaborate to improve
global water stewardship
p. 64
Advance socially
responsible supply chains
p. 66
By understanding their environmental risks, prioritizing where the company can have the greatest impact and
committing to sustainable sourcing, General Mills can have a significant impact. The company has an opportunity to
take a leading role in the move toward global sustainable agriculture, while addressing critical issues like ecosystem
health and water scarcity. Dave McLaughlin, Vice President of Agriculture, World Wildlife Fund
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
50
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Water is the silent currency that drives our economy from energy production, to urban
water supplies, to food production. Our management of this finite resource is critical
to sustaining future growth and a healthy planet. General Mills strong leadership and
commitment to enhancing the sustainability of its supply chains is a model for corporate
water stewardship and an essential ingredient to securing a sustainable future for our
farmers, communities, economy, and the ecosystems on which we all depend.
Adam Freed, Director, Global Securing Water Program, The Nature Conservancy
51
HEALTH
Vanilla
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will source 100 percent of our
vanilla by 2020 through origindirect investment, improving the
incomes of smallholder farmers
and the quality of ingredients.
Challenges: The primary risk to the worlds
long-term supply of vanilla is economic:
the ability of smallholder farmers to
r Malagasy farmers in Belambo village significantly increase their incomes by curing vanilla beans
(rather than selling uncured green beans).
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Madagascar
52
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
r Now that Belambo village has its own rice storage warehouse, farmers can purchase rice at lower
prices throughout the year, helping improve food security. The General Mills Foundation provided
funding for the building and 40 tons of rice.
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
10 years
General Mills has been
working with smallholder
corn farmers in northeastern
China for 10 years to
sustainably source drymilled corn used to make
Bugles snacks. This effort is
an example of our creating
shared value strategy,
which has improved farmer
incomes and raised living
standards in the community.
EC9, SO1, FP4
Through the Vanilla Sustainability Project with General Mills, we are mapping the vanilla genome and exploring how
rising temperatures affect reproductive development of the vanilla plant and the spread of vanilla pests and fungal
pathogens, such as Fusarium root rot disease. This knowledge is crucial for breeding a better, stronger, more diseaseresistant vanilla plant for farmers in Madagascar and worldwide.
Sharman ONeill, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
53
HEALTH
Cocoa
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will source 100 percent of our
cocoa by 2020 through origindirect investment, improving the
incomes of smallholder farmers
and the quality of ingredients.
Challenges: As with vanilla, the primary
risk to the worlds long-term supply of
cocoa also is economic: the ability of
smallholder farmers to earn enough from
the crop to feed their families. Cocoa grows
under the forest canopy, so maintaining
cocoa as a viable crop also helps prevent
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
1
2
1
2
Cte dIvoire
Ghana
To ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality cocoa, you have to understand the lives of the farmers, their
families and the practical challenges they face. We are investing in meaningful solutions to improve cocoa farmers
livelihoods and productivity.
Ann Simonds, General Mills Senior Vice President and President, Baking Products Division
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
54
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Palm oil
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
1
2
r Palm fruit, harvested in bunches from palm trees, is then processed to make palm oil. We continue
converting our palm oil supply to sustainable sources.
n G
reater clarity about supplier
Malaysia
Brazil
55
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Sugarcane
COMMUNITY
WORKPLACE
3
2
1
2
3
Brazil
Mexico
United States
r General Mills is converting our sugarcane supply to responsible and sustainable sources focused on
improving the environmental, social and economic impacts of sugarcane production and processing.
2/3
Two-thirds of the worlds
sugarcane is grown in Brazil.
56
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COMMUNITY
Idaho Spring Wheat Program advantage over district & state average
COMPARED COMPARED
TO STATE TO DISTRICT
LAND
USE
SOIL
CONSERVATION
SOIL
CARBON
ENERGY
USE
GHG
EMISSIONS
IRRIGATION
WATER USE
acres/bu
tons/bu
SCI
BTU/bu
lbs CO2eq/bu
ac-in/bu
+12%
+1%
+8%
+9%
-2%
+49%
+29%
+22%
+8%
-46%
-38%
+25%
Note: District benchmarks reflect irrigated wheat for southeast Idaho, whereas state benchmarks
represent the average of dryland and irrigated wheat for Idaho.
57
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Increasing crop
sustainability
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Oats
U.S. wheat
2
r General Mills is partnering with industry groups, such as Field to Market, and farmers to increase sustainability in four key North American growing regions:
the Snake River Valley in Idaho; the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota; the Northern Plains; and western Canada (Manitoba and Saskatchewan).
Oats
COMMITMENT: General Mills will
source 100 percent of our oats
by 2020 from growing regions
that demonstrate continuous
improvement against industrybased environmental metrics.
Challenges: The supply of oats has steadily
declined over the past decades because
farmers earn greater profits growing
other, more resource-intensive crops. We
are working to improve the profitability
and sustainability of oat production.
r We are working with farmers to increase the sustainability of oats and supporting oat genetics
research to improve nutrition and increase yields with additional non-GMO varieties.
Manitoba, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
58
HEALTH
Wheat
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will source 100 percent of our
U.S. wheat by 2020 from growing
regions that demonstrate
continuous improvement using
the Field to Market framework or
comparable environmental metrics.
Challenges: Sustainability challenges in
the wheat supply chain include the need
to reduce GHG emissions and water
usage while increasing biodiversity.
Strategy: General Mills is a large buyer of
U.S. wheat; the Snake River growing region
in eastern Idaho represents 10 percent of
General Mills total wheat purchases. We
began partnering with Field to Market and
Sugar beets
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will source 100 percent of our
U.S. beet sugar by 2020 from
growing regions that demonstrate
continuous improvement using
the Field to Market framework or
comparable environmental metrics.
Challenges: Sustainability challenges in the
sugar beet supply chain are similar to those
for growing wheat, including the need to
reduce GHG emissions and soil loss.
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
COMMUNITY
4
1
2
5
2
1
2
3
4
5
North America
Argentina
Brazil
France
Australia
EN18, EN26
WORKPLACE
1
2
1
2
Minnesota
North Dakota
EN18, EN26
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HEALTH
Corn
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will source 100 percent of our
dry-milled corn by 2020 from
growing regions that demonstrate
continuous improvement using
the Field to Market framework or
comparable environmental metrics.
Challenges: Sustainability challenges in
the corn supply chain include the need
Dairy
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will purchase 100 percent
of our directly sourced fluid
milk from producing regions
that demonstrate continuous
improvement as measured by the
Dairy Sustainability Framework
in the U.S. and other comparable
environmental metrics (globally).
Challenges: Dairy sustainability
challenges include the need to reduce
GHG emissions while controlling water
usage and improving water quality. The
industry also is addressing issues of
animal well-being, such as dehorning.
Strategy: General Mills is collaborating
with the Michigan Milk Producers
Association to pilot the Innovation Center
for U.S. Dairy Sustainability Council
Framework starting at the producer level
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
COMMUNITY
1
2
WORKPLACE
1
2
Illinois
Indiana
1
2
United States
France
60
HEALTH
Fiber packaging
COMMITMENT: General Mills
will source 100 percent of our fiber
packaging by 2020 from recycled
material or from virgin wood fiber
regions that are known to not
be contributing to deforestation
(any high-risk regions will be
independently verified).
Challenges: Deforestation is the
primary supply chain risk posed
by sourcing fiber for packaging.
Strategy: Using sustainable sourcing
guidelines for fiber, pulp and paper
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
United States
Canada
COMMUNITY
Approach
2
1
WORKPLACE
EN26, FP1
61
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Muir Glen
tomatoes
Honey Nut
Cheerios cereal
Nature Valley
granola bars
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
The latest science clearly demonstrates how important flowering habitat on farms is for bees. General Mills has really
embraced this concept and is working hard to ensure that pollinator conservation remains a priority for the farmers they
work with. General Mills also is serving a pivotal role in helping us understand the factors behind declining bee numbers,
and how we can address those factors. As we restore flowering hedgerows and wildflower meadows for bees in California
and Minnesota, we see the companys dedication to the long-term success of those projects.
Eric Lee-Mader, Assistant Pollinator Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and Assistant Professor of Extension,
University of Minnesota Department of Entomology
application of pesticides)
and GHGs (embedded in the
manufacturing of pesticides).
Another example is the support
we provide to farmers in central
Mexico through interest-free
loans for drip irrigation, which
reduces the use of pesticides,
improves yields and uses about
50 percent less water than
conventional furrow irrigation.
63
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Water
COMMITMENT: General Mills
is committed to improving the
sustainability of water use
throughout our supply chain.
Agriculture uses 70 percent of the
worlds fresh water. Conserving
water resources is crucial for the
environment and for our business.
In addition to reducing the amount of
water we use in our operations (see the
Environment section of this report), we
continue to apply our four-phase approach
to conserve water used throughout our
supply chain. Approximately 99 percent
Analysis
Assessment
Analysis
A STUDY OF KEY
OPERATION AND
GROWING REGION
WATERSHEDS
DEEP-DIVE
ANALYSIS OF
AT-RISK GROWING
AREAS
Collaboration
ESTABLISH
MULTI-STAKEHOLDER
WATER STEWARDSHIP
PLAN
Transformation
IMPLEMENT
WATER
STEWARDSHIP
PROGRAM
r We conserve water throughout our supply chain and focus on improving the health of the watersheds
we access.
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
64
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ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Collaboration
WORKPLACE
PHASE 4
COMMUNITY
Transformation
KEY WATERSHEDS
Based on results from TNCs global water risk assessment and a business materiality
analysis, we are developing watershed health strategies in the areas listed below.
Facilities
Growing regions
Water
depletion
index
r
This
map pinpoints
the watersheds we access around the world for our own operations or through our supply
chain,
Facilities
1
including
agricultural
use. Areas of greatest water stress appear in red.
2
Growing regions
Geographic location
Location type
Water risk*
Facility
Beijing, China
(includes Sanhe facility)
Facility/Growing region
Facility
Shanghai, China
Facility
Facility/Growing region
El Bajio, Mexico
(includes Irapuato facility)
Facility/Growing region
Growing region
3.1
Growing region
2.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.3
4.1
4.0
* Score based on TNC analysis of water depletion risk (with 5.0 considered at highest
risk of water stress)
4
5
6
7
Agriculture is by far the worlds largest consumer of fresh water. As a global food company, General Mills is providing
leadership by identifying at-risk watersheds and working with farmers to implement the practices that can lead to a
sustainable future. Rich Rosengren, Senior Advisor, Corporate Engagement, The Nature Conservancy
65
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Human rights
COMMITMENT: General Mills
is committed to advancing
responsible sourcing practices
across our supply chains.
We believe that the protection of human
rights through responsible sourcing is a
critical part of our Nourishing Lives mission.
As part of our commitment to respecting
human rights in our supply chain, we are
leaders in the AIM-PROGRESS Responsible
Sourcing Forum, whose mission is to
promote responsible sourcing by sharing
r We support safe working conditions throughout our supply chains, from smallholder farmers
harvesting crops to employees helping to package finished products for consumers.
66
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Animal welfare
COMMITMENT: General Mills
supports the humane treatment
of animals in agriculture and
will enforce the General Mills
animal welfare policy covering
pork, milk and egg production,
antibiotic use and animal testing.
Egg production: General Mills is a
member of the Coalition for Sustainable
Egg Supply, a U.S.-based industry group
that is evaluating different types of egg
r We support humane treatment of the hens who lay eggs used in our products.
100%
In December 2013,
we began sourcing
100 percent freerange eggs for all
Hagen-Dazs products
produced in Europe.
FP11, FP12
67
WORKPLACE
OUR GOAL is to foster a safe, ethical,
diverse and inclusive workplace where
employees can thrive. We accomplish
our mission by living our values:
Play to win
Win as a team
Our strategies
Build a strong
workplace
culture
Maintain
a safe
workplace
Respect,
develop and
invest in
employees
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Overview
A great place to work Investing in talent is a key ingredient to our success. Workplace culture and business performance go hand-in-hand, so we strive
to develop our employees by giving them opportunities both inside and outside the company to stretch and grow. By doing so, we encourage employees
to achieve their best while ensuring strong leadership for the future. Employees recognize our efforts to foster a positive and rewarding work environment
by consistently identifying General Mills as a great place to work. We recruit, retain and develop talented employees and continue to improve workplace
safety through our efforts to prevent injuries and illnesses. We support our employees in being active, eating healthy and staying well.
Performance dashboard
Strengthening our
workplace culture
Increasing diversity
and inclusion
Increasing
workplace safety
Increasing employee
well-being
86 percent of employees
said General Mills is a great
place to work in 2013.*
69
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SOURCING
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COMMUNITY
78%
p. 72
Percentage of employees
who would recommend
working for their
manager (2013 Global
Climate Survey)
p. 78
p. 81
We know that the best companies succeed with talented, committed employees who grow and develop to achieve their
highest potential, making significant contributions to the business. This is especially true and important at General Mills,
because many employees spend their careers with the company.
Mike Davis, Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources, General Mills
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
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WORKPLACE
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71
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ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
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Commitment
Ethics: Doing the right thing is a
fundamental part of our culture.
Respect: We treat our employees
with respect and integrity.
Communication: 90 percent of
salaried employees participated
in our 2013 Global Climate
Survey providing feedback about
company culture.
Our comprehensive Code of Conduct
and ethics and compliance program
promote ethical behavior in all
aspects of our employees work.
Conduct
Our Code of Conduct summarizes our
ethics guidelines and gives employees
practical information as well as answers
to their questions. The code covers
everything from maintaining corporate
integrity, communicating appropriately, and
competing fairly and legally to personal
safety, appropriate use of company
resources and ensuring consumer privacy.
Ethics
The motto for our Ethics and Compliance
program is Every Decision, Every Action,
Every Day. The program includes extensive
online resources and self-directed courses
for employees along with our confidential
Ethics Line, which allows employees to
raise questions or report questionable
conduct anonymously, where allowed
by law, and an orientation video that
introduces new employees to General
Mills ethics philosophy. The program also
features Ethics Matters, a collection
of stories published by the Ethics and
Compliance group that puts policies
into practice by providing real, concrete
examples of ethical lapses and choices
that reflect a great deal of integrity.
Assessment
Program: We continue to strengthen
our anti-corruption program. Following
our recent comprehensive corruption risk
assessment across our businesses around
the world, we enhanced our anti-corruption
program, updated our anti-corruption policy
and internal controls, and communicated
program requirements broadly to employees.
We continue to assess risks in this evolving
area and review enhancements to our
program to adapt best practices, such as
in the areas of third-party risk. We also
include corruption as a risk factor in the
annual risk assessment fielded by our
Global Internal Audit function. This risk
assessment touches all of our business
units around the world. In addition, we ask
detailed questions related to corruption risk
during each routine, in-depth business unit
audit by our Global Internal Audit team.
Training: We train employees extensively
both in person and through online training
modules on corruption risks and our
standards. In October 2013, we launched an
updated anti-corruption training course for
employees outside the U.S. and U.S.-based
employees who interact with other countries.
Of the more than 9,700 employees
Ethical culture
Our 2013 Ethical Culture Survey
was sent to a random sample
of more than 3,500 employees
worldwide. Sixty-seven percent
of them responded with feedback,
including these highlights:
n 9
5 percent say leaders
demonstrate a commitment
to ethical business
n 9
5 percent say ethical
Action
All allegations of bribery and corruption
relating to General Mills business
operations are promptly and thoroughly
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
72
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
France
Best Workplaces in France,
Great Place to Work Institute
n Top Employer, Top Employers Institute
n
U.K.
Spain
n
Sweden
n
Germany
n
Greece
n
Empresa Familiarmente
Responsable Work
Life-Balance award
U.S.
100 Best Places to Work, Fortune and
Great Place to Work Institute
n Best Companies for Working Mothers,
Working Mother magazine
n World's Most Reputable Companies,
Reputation Institute
n Best Places to Work in IT,
Computerworld
n
Mexico
Great Place to Work,
Great Place to Work Institute
n Inclusive Company, Mexico
Ministry of Federal Labor
and Social Security
n
Australia
n
Australian Business
Award for Recommended
Employer in the Food
Industry
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
73
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
20 percent of our U.S.-based
employees are people of color
40 percent of our U.S.-based
employees are women
Recognition: named to the 2013
list of Worlds Best Multinational
Workplaces by the Great Place to
Work Institute
At General Mills, we value diversity and
consider it core to our business strategy.
Goal: Our goal is to build an employee
base that mirrors the consumers of
our products. Attracting, retaining and
developing employees with a variety
of backgrounds is a top priority.
Culture
To cultivate an inclusive environment,
we respect all dimensions of diversity,
including gender, race and sexual
orientation as well as cultural values,
preferences and beliefs. Our Executive
Diversity Council reinforces diversity
and inclusion throughout the company
by advising employee networks,
recruiting and mentoring women
and employees of color, and ensuring
that women and people of color are
Recognition
Actions
n T
op
10 of Best Companies
for Multicultural Women,
Working Mother magazine
n T
op
n T
op
n B
est
50 Companies for
Diversity, DiversityInc
n 5
0
DIVERSITY
JOURNAL
PROFILES IN
2013
Award of Excellence
INNOVATioNS
In DIVERSITY AWARD
v General Mills
received an Award
of Excellence in the
Diversity Journal 10th
Annual Innovations
in Diversity Awards
competition in June
2013. The award
was granted for our
Law Departments
Partners in Diversity
program.
LA13
74
Employee networks
and associations
Employee networks: Members of
our employee networks support each
other and help recruit new employees
by increasing confidence in General
Mills approach to diversity and inclusion.
Our employee networks include: Black
Champions Network, American Indian
Council, Hispanic Network, Asian Heritage
Network, South Asian Network, Middle
East North African Network, Women
in Leadership, Veterans Network and
Bettys Family for our LGBT employees.
Associations: We also sustain relationships
with professional associations, including
the National Black MBA Association
and National Society of Hispanic MBAs.
We partner with organizations such as
The Consortium for Graduate Study in
Management and Management Leadership
of Tomorrow, which offer graduate
fellowships and career development
opportunities to high potential AfricanAmericans, Hispanics and Native Americans.
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Recognition
In the U.S., General Mills has
been consistently recognized
for our support of military
veterans in our workplaces:
2013: G.I. Jobs Top 100
Military-Friendly Employers
2012: Yellow Ribbon
Company Designation
2011: U.S. Department of
Defense Employer Support of
the Guard and Reserve award
for commitment to employees
who serve in the military
2010: National Committee
for Employer Support of
the Guard Patriot Award
members or commissioned officers of
the U.S. Armed Forces. Their training,
experience and organizational skills are
assets in the General Mills workplace. In
the U.S., veterans represent 3 percent of our
workforce, including 72 percent who work
in our plant locations as hourly employees.
The remaining 18 percent are salaried
positions throughout our headquarters
and field locations. We support veterans
through multiple initiatives, including the
20+ million
Supplier diversity
Impact
US$500+ million spending with
U.S. minority and female-owned
businesses
8 percent increase in first-tier
spending with U.S. minority and
female-owned businesses over past
10 years (compounded annually)
Our supplier diversity efforts are a
reflection of our dedication to Nourishing
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
HEALTH
0.9
0.6
8%
GR
CA
0.3
0
2003
2013
Fiscal year
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
75
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
v Darcy Riess,
Chief Executive Officer,
Sweet Harvest Foods, a
General Mills supplier
for 15 years.
Impact
86 percent of salaried employees
would recommend General Mills
as a great place to work
73 percent of salaried employees
feel General Mills offers long-term
career opportunities
Equal opportunity
Policy: To provide a comfortable
and safe working environment for all
employees, General Mills prohibits
discrimination based on age, race, color,
76
HEALTH
Benefits and
compensation
We believe our compensation, benefits
and incentive plans are competitive
in our industry. At General Mills, we
value our employees and reward them
accordingly with our Total Rewards
compensation/benefits package. We
are a pay-for-performance culture, so
incentive payments and merit increases are
directly linked to employee performance.
We offer competitive pay, retirement
programs, and employee and education
assistance programs. Implemented in
2009, our annual performance and awards
statement was developed and revised
in response to employee suggestions.
LA3
Labor-management
relations
Globally, General Mills is committed to
providing both our union and non-union
production employees workplaces that are
among the safest manufacturing facilities
in the world. In addition, we work to
have total employee engagement as the
foundation of our mutual success, strive
to create cultures that champion respect
and inclusion, and offer competitive
rewards. We have clear health and safety
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
practices that include joint managementemployee health and safety teams and
committees; participation of workers
and/or worker representatives in health
and safety inspections, audits and
accident investigations; as well as use of
personal protective equipment, training
and periodic inspections. We maintain
good relationships with our unions, and
our labor contracts are typically settled
on time and without work disruption.
LA6, LA9
Measurement
General Mills has established key
metrics and measurement approaches to
understand our performance as it relates to
labor and decent work. Examples include
a refined performance management
process, annual employee surveys and
a clearly articulated Code of Conduct.
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Testimony in support
of equality
In 2013, Ken Charles, General
Mills Vice President of Diversity
and Inclusion, testified before
the U.S. Senate in support of
equality a fundamental value
at General Mills. His testimony
was related to the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act of
2013, which sought to prohibit
employment discrimination on
the basis of sexual orientation
or gender identity. While
the proposed legislation was
not enacted (it passed in
the U.S. Senate, but stalled
awaiting a vote in the U.S.
House of Representatives),
his testimony reinforces
General Mills commitment
to equality in the workplace.
Expanding health care coverage to all Yoki employees and their families in Brazil
WATCH VIDEO
r Watch this video to learn how health
insurance benefits are making a difference
in the lives of Yoki employees.
77
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
Goal: Provide injury-free
workplaces for our employees,
contractors and visitors
10 percent reduction: Global total
injury rate of 1.62 injuries per
100 employees in fiscal 2013,
down from 1.79 in 2012
Culture
Leadership support combined with our
ongoing What If campaign (see related
story in the Health section of this report)
reinforces our culture of safety by raising
awareness and helping prevent injuries
at our facilities around the world.
Survey: In 2013, we partnered with
DuPont, a globally recognized leader
in workplace safety, to conduct a
comprehensive global safety perception
Leadership
In 2013, we established a Corporate Safety
Council led by our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and a Global Safety
Governance Board composed of regional
operating vice presidents. With this strong
leadership focus, we are establishing
globally consistent safety expectations for
our employees and the food we produce
(learn more about our commitment to
Tracking and
managing progress
System: In June 2013, we completed the
rollout of our Global Safety Tracking and
Environmental Management System,
called G-STEMS, to track safety data
at all production facilities worldwide
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
78
HEALTH
In this Hand Safety Book you will learn 10 principles for hand safety:
789
234
10
5 6
Use the correct hand tool for the job and use it properly.
Make sure safety guards are in place before you begin any job.
10
Keep your hands clean. Dont ignore hand injuries. Know the
signs of dermatitis and other skin disorders. Get prompt
medical attention when required.
14.00
12.00
10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
r We reduced our total injury rate in 2013 to 1.62 injuries per 100 employees at our production
facilities around the world.
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
1
2
Argentina
Venezuela
3
4
France
Australia
HEALTH
Responsibility, training
and auditing
Responsibility: Workplace health
and safety is the responsibility of line
management and each individual
employee. All employees are
expected to work safely by following
all rules, procedures and training.
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
r We monitor and audit our operations globally to help ensure workplace safety.
v Stretching programs help prevent injuries at our production facilities across North America.
80
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
U.S.: 51 percent of U.S. employees
participated in voluntary health
assessments in 2013, up from
36 percent in 2012
Global: Health and wellness
programs available to employees
worldwide
WATCH VIDEO
r General Mills leaders discuss the value of
good health and why its important to
our company.
Providing healthy workplace environments and programs to support healthy lifestyles are key to our employees succeeding
both at work and at home. Employee well-being activities work best at the local level, with champions to support one another
in making sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes.
Dr. Julia Halberg, General Mills Vice President of Global Health
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
81
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
COMMUNITY
WORKPLACE
LA8
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
82
HEALTH
Organizational
leadership
Advisory council: In January 2013, we
launched a global health and wellness
advisory council to provide more
support for wellness programs around
the world. Council participants, who
include representatives from all around
the world, connect on a quarterly basis
to share best practices and resources.
30 years
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Recognition
n S
tart!
Fit-Friendly
Company,
American Heart
Association, United
States General
Mills has received
this award annually
since 2007
(Platinum level)
n B
est
Employers for
Healthy Lifestyles,
National Business
Group on Health,
United States
General Mills has
received this award
annually since
2007 (Gold level)
n A
mericas
100 Best
Adoption-Friendly
Workplaces,
United States
The Dave Thomas
Foundation
for Adoption
v We provide resources that help employees live healthy lifestyles, including being active
and staying well.
83
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Sweden/Nordic region:
General Mills offers
employees a yearly well-being
contribution to encourage
Argentina: Employees
participated in nutrition
workshops and health
conferences. They also received
flu vaccines and ergonomics
instruction at the workplace.
South Korea: Employees
participated in an outdoor Sports
Day activity and a workshop at
a nature center. Employees also
receive annual medical checkups.
Australia: Employees
participated in workplace
wellness initiatives promoting
healthier lifestyles organized
by Exercise and Sports Science
Australia as part of the Healthier
Australia Commitment.
84
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
88 percent of General Mills
officers have been promoted from
within the company
Climate of
innovation and
development
n G
eneral Mills offers long-
People are at the center of the equation. We hire the best people, we train our people everywhere around the world,
we give them the tools they need to do their job, and we give them the experiences they need both inside and outside
the company to really broaden their view of the world.
Ken Powell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Mills
85
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
20 years
r We train managers to help them be more effective and expand our coaching culture.
Measuring
effectiveness
r We offer eLearning opportunities that meet the demands of our increasingly mobile workforce.
86
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
87%
Globally, 87 percent of our
managers are promoted
from within the company.
effectiveness. The CLO works with the
Human Resources team to develop
training plans at the corporate, business
and functional levels. Learning and
development are both top-down
driven for alignment and locally
owned by training teams embedded
in the business and functions. This
matrix approach delivers relevant
training that is responsive to business
and function requirements.
LA10, LA11, LA12
Organizational leadership: In
partnership with the General Mills
senior management team, our Chief
Learning Officer (CLO) facilitates
an annual strategic review of the
corporations strengths and opportunity
areas. We use this process to identify
a clear set of business imperatives,
which we then translate into capability
and learning priorities. The CLO is an
active member of the Strategy and
Business Development department
and has overall responsibilities for
talent management and organization
87
COMMUNITY
OUR GOAL is to build strong communities.
Our philanthropic work is an extension of
the companys Nourishing Lives mission and
ties closely to our companys core business.
We work in innovative ways with partners
locally and around the world to harness our
collective impact in key target areas, while
engaging employees through volunteerism.
Our strategies
Alleviate
Improve
hunger and
education
advance nutrition
wellness
Strengthen
communities
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
Overview
Nourishing our communities In fiscal 2013, General Mills donated
more than US$153 million (nearly $3 million a week) to key initiatives
that support our communities around the globe. General Mills and
its Foundation have given more than US$1 billion to charitable causes
worldwide since 1954. Our giving and volunteerism focus is on alleviating
hunger and advancing nutrition wellness; improving education; and
strengthening communities.
EC1, FP4
Performance dashboard
We alleviate hunger
Nourishing
We advance
nutrition wellness
SOURCING
$153+ million
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Foundation Grants
$26.9 million
Corporate Contributions/
Brand Partnerships
$80.8 million
Food Donations
$46.0 million
2020 Goal
Progress
n G
lobal
n P
residential
n P
artners
n C
hampions
Educating
Strengthening
We improve
education
n B
ox
We expand access
to education
n J
oin
We volunteer in
the community
n 7
6%
We invest in our
communities
n U
S$153
n U
S$1+
89
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Collective impact
Philanthropy: This year marks the 60th
anniversary of the General Mills Foundation.
Since 1954, we have
connected people and
resources across
communities both in the
U.S. and increasingly,
globally. We look for
opportunities to connect
p. 91
Improve education
p. 96
Strengthen communities
p. 98
In partnership with General Mills, CARE is taking new and innovative approaches to strengthen communities around the world.
Together, we are creating programs that expand access to education, enhance the livelihoods of smallholder famers by engaging
them in the global supply chain, and involve General Mills suppliers and consumers in efforts to alleviate global poverty.
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH, President & Chief Executive Officer of CARE USA
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
90
HEALTH
Knowledge
transfer
Volunteerism
COLLECTIVE
IMPACT
Creating
shared
value
Philanthropy
Brand partnerships
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
Leadership and
governance
Organizational responsibility for
the Foundation is held by the
Senior Vice President of External
Relations and President of the
General Mills Foundation. General
Mills community engagement and
Foundation programs are led by the
Executive Director of the Foundation
with support from program officers
at our headquarters. In addition,
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Donating food
We provide food that helps nourish
people around the world.
The Global FoodBanking Network:
In 2013, General Mills provided
US$4.6 million in food donations
Impact
US$46 million in food
donations globally in 2013
30+ million meals provided
to children and families
around the world (through
2013 food donations)
US$300 million donated in
food worldwide since 1999
91
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
r Our Yoplait business in France donates yogurt weekly to a social grocery store where consumers
can purchase food at deeply discounted prices and receive instruction about food preparation and
good nutrition.
Yoplait is a registered trademark of YOPLAIT MARQUES (France) used under license.
WATCH VIDEO
r Ellen Goldberg Luger, Executive Director of
the General Mills Foundation, talks about
our companys support for programs that
address hunger in our communities.
92
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Rescuing food
Impact
In 2013, General Mills rescued
14,500 metric tons of surplus
food and donated it to charitable
organizations.
General Mills continuously improves
our operations to prevent food waste
sharing food with people in need
and diverting waste from landfills.
Expanding access
to food
Impact
10 million meals added
through support to HungerFree Minnesota in 2013
350,000 breakfasts provided to
2,000+ at-risk students through
Breakfast Clubs of Canada with
support from General Mills
WATCH VIDEO
r Ken Powell, General Mills Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, speaks during the Minnesota
Hunger Impact Exchange event about the
involvement of our employees in hunger initiatives.
r In western China, we provide support for nutritious meals of milk and eggs served daily to 1,120
students at four rural schools in Yunnans Xuanwei region (an area with high rates of malnutrition).
2,000 pounds
In 2013, 2,000 pounds of
organic vegetables grown
by employee volunteers at
our headquarters-based
Green Giant Giving Garden
were donated to food
shelves in Minnesota.
93
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
Ethiopia
Kenya
Tanzania
Malawi
Zambia
WATCH VIDEO
r Learn more about how Partners in Food
Solutions supports food companies in Africa.
With the foundational support of General Mills and more than 350 employee
volunteers, Partners in Food Solutions is improving food security and nutrition
throughout Africa. As the food companies we assist grow and improve, their
product quality is enhanced, they hire more workers and buy more raw
materials from local smallholder farmers. With more income, those farmers can
build better lives for their families while enhancing food security in the region.
Jeff Dykstra, Chief Executive Officer, Partners in Food Solutions
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
94
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
Nearly 1 million youth reached
through Champions for Healthy
Kids initiatives since 2002
60+ years
95
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Improve education
Promoting literacy
Impact
US$600 million raised for U.S.
schools through Box Tops for
Education since 1996, including
US$75 million in 2013
250,000 people in India and
Africa have received expanded
access to education, maternal
health knowledge, and economic
empowerment through Join
My Village since 2009
77 million childrens books
distributed through Cheer On
Reading (formerly Spoonfuls
of Stories) since 2002
Supporting schools
Box Tops for
Education helps
schools across
the U.S. earn
cash for the things they need. Since the
programs inception in 1996, over a halfbillion dollars has been dispersed to more
than 90,000 schools. In 2013, our Box
Tops for Education program and its affiliates
raised more than US$75 million for K-8
schools in the U.S., including US$63 million
from General Mills brands. More than
Our partnership with General Mills and the Cheer On Reading program has helped us put
millions of brand-new, high-quality books into the hands of children from low-income
families across the country. Kyle Zimmer, First Book President and Chief Executive Officer
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Expanding access to
education through
Join My Village
Now in its fifth year, Join My Village has
positively impacted a quarter million
people in Africa and India. The program
has granted thousands of educational
scholarships to girls in Malawi and
India, built dozens of homes to bring
teachers to remote villages, provided
textbooks and reference materials to
thousands of students, and established
125 village-based savings programs that
are improving livelihoods for 73,000
people. Join My Village was founded by
WATCH VIDEO
r Learn more about Join My Village.
r With support from Join My Village, girls are able to pursue their educations. This young
woman in Malawi graduated from secondary school with support from Join My Village programs
and was accepted to university in the fall of 2013, where she is now studying agriculture.
More than
16,000
More than
232,000
More than
73,000
people have
benefited from
maternal health
knowledge
Nearly 1,000
8,500
girls in Malawi
have gained
scholarships to
attend secondary
school
97
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Strengthen communities
Impact
76 percent of General Mills
employees worldwide report
volunteering in their communities,
including 83 percent of
U.S.-based employees
2,500+ employees in 60+
locations participated in Think
Global, Volunteer Local activities
in 2013
Skills-based
volunteerism
Our employees have built a strong legacy of
volunteerism at General Mills by applying
the skills they develop in their jobs to help
organizations in our communities. The
300 General Mills employees who have
used their technical and business expertise
to help growing food processors and
millers in the developing world through
Partners in Food Solutions exemplify this
skills-based approach to volunteerism.
Good Works: Our Good Works program
also leverages employees on-thejob knowledge for the benefit of our
communities. Founded in 2009, the
Good Works program links nonprofit
98
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Canada: Employees in
Mississauga, Ontario, raised
CA$636,945 and collected
almost 60 bags filled with
clothing, more than 50 boxes of
nonperishable food, 14 bags of
winter coats, and 33 boxes of
craft items and books during the
companys Stuff the Bus project
as part of their local United Way
campaign. Ninety-eight percent
of employees participated in the
Greece: Employees in
Athens volunteered at
Theotokos, an organization
that provides educational
opportunities for children with
developmental disabilities.
WATCH VIDEO
99
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
Impact
US$153 million in total giving in
2013, including US$27 million in
grants provided to charities in
nearly 50 communities worldwide
3,000 families now benefit
from access to clean, reliable
water in western China
US$4.5+ million in support to
communities around the world
affected by disaster, including
US$2.1+ million during fiscal 2013
Improving livelihoods
in impoverished
communities
Beyond its education work, Join My
Village is also helping to economically
empower thousands of women living
in impoverished communities, which
increases family livelihoods. Join My
Village helps communities establish village
savings and loans associations (VSLAs),
which enable groups of women to pool a
portion of their savings to help one another
start and expand their small businesses.
Since 2009, more than 6,700 women
and their families have benefited from
the VSLA programs of Join My Village.
r General Mills is helping improve food security in the vanilla-growing region of Madagascar. In 2013,
our philanthropic contributions were used to purchase 40 tons of rice and construct this storage
warehouse in Belambo village so farmers have reliable access to rice at reduced cost during the lean
season. Today, General Mills buys approximately 10 percent of our vanilla from this farmer co-op.
100
HEALTH
Delivering disaster
relief to neighbors in
our communities
When our communities around the world
are affected by disaster, General Mills
responds with grants, food donations and
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCING
WORKPLACE
COMMUNITY
General Mills has provided more than US$4.5 million in support to communities around the
world affected by disaster since 2011, including the locations highlighted below.
Pakistan
n
Pakistan flooding
China
U.S.
n
n
Duluth/Superior flooding
Hurricane Sandy
China earthquake
Japan
n
Thailand
n
Thailand flooding
Philippines
n
Philippines typhoon
Indonesia
n
Brazil
n
Australia
n
Argentina
n
Argentina flooding
New Zealand
n
101
APPENDIX
Environmental Data Summary*,**,***
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013 Excl
Yoplait/Yoki
2013 Incl
Yoplait/Yoki
580
570
579
557
546
534
533
528
531
524
2,769,236
2,740,885
2,738,032
2,754,617
2,685,422
2,656,939
2,601,972
2,465,010
2,506,426
2,931,196
1,509,968
1,511,989
1,527,708
1,496,014
1,471,627
1,509,856
1,462,563
1,358,567
1,391,133
1,644,732
50,237
58,580
37,242
29,597
24,192
23,556
22,055
21,249
22,586
26,910
1,414,573
1,370,316
1,405,408
1,379,694
1,377,570
1,382,944
1,350,699
1,267,482
1,284,875
1,386,492
4,484
5,846
4,787
2,989
14,458
17,085
4,171
2,747
2,013
29,042
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
82
121
119
119
14,146
19,129
21,128
20,744
14,672
27,221
25,234
17,763
17,871
17,871
26,528
58,117
59,143
62,989
40,736
56,698
52,330
30,646
39,348
39,348
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2,352
7,993
18,559
24,322
144,949
1,286,465
Biomass (kWh)
Indirect energy consumption (electricity) (kWh)
1,259,268
1,228,897
1,210,325
1,258,603
1,213,794
1,147,082
1,139,408
1,106,444
1,115,293
International (kWh)
104,083
110,689
125,176
178,336
159,683
138,470
140,497
149,890
156,838
326,841
1,155,185
1,118,207
1,085,148
1,080,267
1,054,112
1,008,612
998,911
956,554
958,455
958,455
215,212
253,647
284,709
291,888
264,858
262,493
268,289
283,768
294,718
718,319
2,554,025
2,487,239
2,453,324
2,462,729
2,420,564
2,394,446
2,333,683
2,181,243
2,211,709
2,211,709
0.225
0.221
0.224
0.215
0.210
0.204
0.205
0.205
0.205
0.181
1,073
1,065
1,059
1,064
1,033
1,014
1,002
958
968
1,011
280
283
285
282
273
285
273
251
255
282
12
14
267
268
275
274
265
277
267
246
250
270
793
782
774
782
760
728
730
707
713
729
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
44
64
76
86
85
84
87
91
95
100
143
1,009
989
973
979
950
927
912
863
868
868
2.383
2.266
2.222
2.258
2.186
2.112
2.135
2.111
2.902
11,100
10,600
11,000
11,000
10,800
10,300
10,000
10,000
16,200
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2,000
1,800
1,700
4,100
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
8,300
8,200
8,300
8,400
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3,700
0.057
0.052
0.047
0.051
0.040
0.037
0.037
0.034
0.033
0.034
266
241
221
239
197
183
178
159
155
190
* All data are fiscal year. Energy, GHG emissions, water, and solid waste generation absolute and rate data are from wholly owned production facilities globally, excluding the recently acquired Yoki Alimentos S.A.
** Some segments do not add up to total, due to rounding.
*** Some data are restated compared to reporting in prior years to reflect improvements in data gathering and tracking methodology.
102
2013 Commitments/Goals/Progress
FOCUS AREA
HOW
COMMITMENT/GOAL
PROGRESS
Improve product
health profiles
Health
Goal: Provide people with convenient, nutritious
food that when combined with exercise and
activity can help them live healthier lives.
Reduce sugar
On track
103
2013 Commitments/Goals/Progress
FOCUS AREA
HOW
COMMITMENT/GOAL
PROGRESS
Reduce calories
Reduce transportation
fuel usage
Health, continued
Environment
Goal: Continually reduce our
environmental footprint.
104
2013 Commitments/Goals/Progress
FOCUS AREA
HOW
COMMITMENT/GOAL
PROGRESS
Sourcing
Goal: Sustainably source the raw
materials we use in our products.
Cocoa
Palm oil
Sugarcane
Oats
Wheat
Encourage sustainable
agricultural practices
105
2013 Commitments/Goals/Progress
FOCUS AREA
HOW
COMMITMENT/GOAL
PROGRESS
Sugar beets
Corn
Dairy
Fiber packaging
Alleviate hunger
Sourcing, continued
Workplace
Goal: Foster a safe, ethical, diverse and inclusive
workplace where employees can thrive.
Community
Goal: Build strong communities.
106
2013 Commitments/Goals/Progress
FOCUS AREA
HOW
COMMITMENT/GOAL
PROGRESS
Improve education
$75 million raised for U.S. schools through Box Tops for
Education in fiscal 2013; $600 million since 1996.
Community, continued
TOP 3 SUPPLIERS
Palm oil
Sugar cane
107
69.2%
Female
30.8%
Black
7.7%
Asian
0.0%
Hispanic
7.7%
0.0%
Age 50+
100%
Reported
Location/Comments
CEO Letter
2013 Annual Report
1.2
2013 10K
2. Organizational Profile
2.1
2013 10K
2.2
Introduction
2013 10K
2.3
Operational structure of the organization, including main divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries, and joint ventures.
2.4
2013 10K
2.5
Number of countries where the organization operates, and names of countries with either major operations or that are
specifically relevant to the sustainability issues covered in the report.
GeneralMills.com/Company/Countries
2.6
2013 10K
2.7
Markets served (including geographic breakdown, sectors served, and types of customers/beneficiaries).
GeneralMills.com/Company/Countries
2.8
2.9
Significant changes during the reporting period regarding size, structure, or ownership.
Workplace
GeneralMills.com/Media/Awards
2.10
Awards received in the reporting period.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
108
Reported
Location/Comments
3. Report Parameters
3.1
Introduction
3.2
April 2013
3.3
Reporting cycle
Annual
3.4
Introduction
3.5
CEO Letter/Introduction
3.6
Boundary of the report (e.g., countries, divisions, subsidiaries, leased facilities, joint ventures, suppliers).
Introduction
3.7
Introduction
3.8
Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries, leased facilities, outsourced operations, and other entities that can significantly
affect comparability from period to period and/or between organizations.
Introduction
3.9
Data measurement techniques and the bases of calculations, including assumptions and techniques underlying estimations
applied to the compilation of the Indicators and other information in the report. Explain any decisions not to apply,
or to substantially diverge from, the GRI Indicator Protocols.
Health
Environment
Workplace
3.10
Explanation of the effect of any re-statements of information provided in earlier reports, and the reasons for such
re-statement (e.g.,mergers/acquisitions, change of base years/periods, nature of business, measurement methods).
Environment
Appendix
3.11
Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods applied in the report.
None
3.12
Appendix
3.13
Policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report.
Introduction
GeneralMills.com/Investors
GeneralMills.com/Investors
GeneralMills.com/Investors
GeneralMills.com/Investors
GeneralMills.com/Investors
Governance structure of the organization, including committees under the highest governance body responsible
for specific tasks, such as setting strategy or organizational oversight.
4.2
Indicate whether the Chair of the highest governance body is also an executive officer.
4.3
For organizations that have a unitary board structure, state the number and gender of members of the highest governance
body that are independent and/or non-executive members.
4.4
Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to provide recommendations or direction to the highest governance body.
4.5
Linkage between compensation for members of the highest governance body, senior managers, and executives
(including departure arrangements), and the organizations performance (including social and environmental performance).
4.6
Processes in place for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
109
Reported
Location/Comments
Process for determining the composition, qualifications, and expertise of the members of the highest governance body
and its committees, including any consideration of gender and other indicators of diversity.
4.8
Internally developed statements of mission or values, codes of conduct, and principles relevant to economic, environmental,
and social performance and the status of their implementation.
4.9
GeneralMills.com/Investors
GeneralMills.com/Company
GeneralMills.com/Responsibility
Procedures of the highest governance body for overseeing the organizations identification and management of economic,
environmental, and social performance, including relevant risks and opportunities, and adherence or compliance with
internationally agreed standards, codes of conduct, and principles.
GeneralMills.com/Investors
Introduction
4.10
Processes for evaluating the highest governance bodys own performance, particularly with respect to economic,
environmental, and social performance.
GeneralMills.com/Investors
4.11
Explanation of whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organization.
GeneralMills.com/Responsibility
4.12
Externally developed economic, environmental, and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the
organization subscribes or endorses.
Introduction
Sourcing
4.13
Memberships in associations (such as industry associations) and/or national/international advocacy organizations.
Introduction
Health
Environment
Sourcing
Community
4.14
List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organization.
Introduction
Health
Environment
Sourcing
Community
4.15
Basis for identification and selection of stakeholders with whom to engage.
Introduction
Health
Environment
Sourcing
Community
4.16
Approaches to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group.
Introduction
Health
Environment
Sourcing
Community
4.17
Key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement, and how the organization has responded
to those key topics and concerns, including through its reporting.
Introduction
Health
Environment
Sourcing
Community
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
110
Reported
Location/Comments
Community
Workplace
2013 Annual Report
2013 Proxy Statement
EC2
Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organizations activities due to climate change.
Introduction
Environment
Sourcing
Carbon Disclosure Project
EC3
2013 10K
EC4
MARKET PRESENCE
EC5
Range of ratios of standard entry level wage by gender compared to local minimum wage at significant locations of operation.
EC6
Policy, practices, and proportion of spending on locally-based suppliers at significant locations of operation.
EC7
Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior management hired from the local community at significant locations of operation.
Sourcing
Workplace
Development and impact of infrastructure investments and services provided primarily for public benefit through
commercial, in-kind, or pro bono engagement.
EC9
Understanding and describing significant indirect economic impacts, including the extent of impacts.
Sourcing
EN2
Environment
EN3
Direct energy consumption by primary energy source.
Environment
Appendix - Environmental
Data Summary
EN4
Indirect energy consumption by primary source.
Environment
Appendix - Environmental
Data Summary
EN5
Environment
ENERGY
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
111
Reported
Location/Comments
Environment
ENERGY
EN6
Initiatives to provide energy-efficient or renewable energy-based products and services, and reductions in energy requirements
as a result of these initiatives.
EN7
EN8
Total water withdrawal by source.
Environment
Appendix - Environmental
Data Summary
EN9
Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water.
Environment
Sourcing
EN10
Environment
WATER
BIODIVERSITY
EN11
Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity
value outside protected areas.
EN12
Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas
of high biodiversity value outside protected areas.
EN13
Sourcing
Sourcing
EN14
Strategies, current actions, and future plans for managing impacts on biodiversity.
Sourcing
EN15
Number of IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations,
by level of extinction risk.
Environment
Appendix - Environmental
Data Summary
EN17
Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight.
Environment
Carbon Disclosure Project
EN18
Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved.
Environment
Sourcing
EN19
Emissions of ozone-depleting substances by weight.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
112
Reported
Location/Comments
Environment
EMISSIONS, EFFLUENTS AND WASTE
EN20
NOx, SOx, and other significant air emissions by type and weight.
EN21
Total water discharge by quality and destination.
EN22
Environment
EN23
Total number and volume of significant spills.
EN24
Weight of transported, imported, exported, or treated waste deemed hazardous under the terms of the Basel Convention
Annex I, II, III, and VIII, and percentage of transported waste shipped internationally.
EN25
Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly affected by the
reporting organizations discharges of water and runoff.
EN26
Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of products and services, and extent of impact mitigation.
Environment
Sourcing
EN27
Percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed by category.
Environment
Sourcing
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
113
Reported
Location/Comments
Environment
COMPLIANCE
EN28
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with
environmental laws and regulations.
Environment
TRANSPORT
EN29
Significant environmental impacts of transporting products and other goods and materials used for the organizations
operations, and transporting members of the workforce.
OVERALL
EN30
Total workforce by employment type, employment contract, and region, broken down by gender.
LA2
Total number and rate of new employee hires and employee turnover by age group, gender, and region.
LA3
Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees, by major operations.
LA15
Workplace
LABOR/MANAGEMENT RELATIONS
LA4
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.
LA5
Minimum notice period(s) regarding significant operational changes, including whether it is specified in collective agreements.
Workplace
Percentage of total workforce represented in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees that
help monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programs.
LA7
Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities by region and by gender.
Workplace
LA8
Education, training, counseling, prevention, and risk-control programs in place to assist workforce members, their families,
or community members regarding serious diseases.
Workplace
LA9
Health and safety topics covered in formal agreements with trade unions.
Workplace
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
114
Reported
Location/Comments
Average hours of training per year per employee by gender, and by employee category.
Workplace
LA11
Programs for skills management and lifelong learning that support the continued employability of employees and assist
them in managing career endings.
Workplace
LA12
Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews, by gender.
Workplace
Workplace
Appendix
GeneralMills.com/Investors
Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men by employee category, by significant locations of operation.
HR2
Percentage of significant suppliers, contractors and other business partners that have undergone human rights
screening, and actions taken.
Sourcing
GeneralMills.com/Sourcing
HR3
Total hours of employee training on policies and procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to
operations, including the percentage of employees trained.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
HR4
Operations and significant suppliers identified in which the right to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining may be
violated or at significant risk, and actions taken to support these rights.
Sourcing
Sourcing
CHILD LABOR
HR6
Operations and significant suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labor, and measures taken to contribute
to the effective abolition of child labor.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
115
Reported
Location/Comments
Operations and significant suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor,
and measures to contribute to the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor.
Sourcing
SECURITY PRACTICES
HR8
Percentage of security personnel trained in the organizations policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights
that are relevant to operations.
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
HR9
Total number of incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous people and actions taken.
ASSESSMENT
HR10
Percentage and total number of operations that have been subject to human rights reviews and/or impact assessments.
REMEDIATION
HR11
Number of grievances related to human rights filed, addressed and resolved through formal grievance mechanisms.
Sourcing
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
SO1
Percentage of operations with implemented local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programs.
SO9
SO10
Prevention and mitigation measures implemented in operations with significant potential or actual negative
impacts on local communities.
CORRUPTION
SO2
Percentage and total number of business units analyzed for risks related to corruption.
Workplace
SO3
Percentage of employees trained in organizations anti-corruption policies and procedures.
Workplace
We launched an updated Antibribery
course in September 2013 and as of
today, 19% of our global employees
have completed that training.
SO4
PUBLIC POLICY
SO5
Public policy positions and participation in public policy development and lobbying.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Introduction
GeneralMills.com/
Civic Involvement
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
116
Reported
Location/Comments
Social: Society
PUBLIC POLICY
SO6
Total value of financial and in-kind contributions to political parties, politicians, and related institutions by country.
GeneralMills.com/
Civic Involvement
ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR
SO7
Total number of legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices and their outcomes.
COMPLIANCE
SO8
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement,
and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures.
PR2
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning health and safety impacts
of products and services during their life cycle, by type of outcomes.
Health, Workplace
Health
Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and services subject
to such information requirements.
PR4
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning product and service information
and labeling, by type of outcomes.
PR5
Practices related to customer satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer satisfaction.
Health
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
PR6
Programs for adherence to laws, standards, and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, including advertising,
promotion, and sponsorship.
PR7
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning marketing communications,
including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship by type of outcomes.
CUSTOMER PRIVACY
PR8
Total number of substantiated complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
117
Reported
Location/Comments
Monetary value of significant fines for non-compliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and
use of products and services.
Sourcing
General Mills adheres to a strict supplier
code of conduct and utilizes independent
third parties to assess supplier
compliance with this code.
GeneralMills.com/Sourcing
FP2
Percentage of purchased volume which is verified as being in accordance with credible, internationally recognized
responsible production standards, broken down by standard.
Sourcing
FP3
Percentage of working time lost due to industrial disputes, strikes and/or lock-outs, by country.
FP4
Nature, scope and effectiveness of any programs and practices (in-kind contributions, volunteer initiatives, knowledge
transfer, partnerships and product development) that promote access to healthy lifestyles; the prevention of chronic disease;
access to healthy, nutritious and affordable food; and improved welfare for communities in need.
Health
Workplace
Community
Sourcing
FP5
Percentage of production volume manufactured in sites certified by an independent third party according to internationally
recognized food safety management system standards.
Health
FP6
Percentage of total sales volume of consumer products, by product category, that are lowered in saturated fat, trans
fats, sodium and added sugars.
Health
FP7
Percentage of total sales volume of consumer products, by product category, that contain increased nutritious ingredients
like fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals or functional food additives.
Health
FP8
Policies and practices on communication to consumers about ingredients and nutritional information beyond legal requirements.
Health
WholeGrainNation.com
GeneralMills.com/Benefits of Cereal
GeneralMills.com/Benefits of Yogurt
GeneralMills.com/Nutrition
FP9
Percentage and total of animals raised and/or processed, by species and breed type.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
118
Reported
Location/Comments
FP11
Percentage and total of animals raised and/or processed, by species and breed type, per housing type.
Sourcing
General Mills does not raise or process
animals. For information on our approach
to animal welfare, see our policy.
FP12
Policies and practices on antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, hormone, and/or growth promotion treatments,
by species and breed type.
Sourcing
Animal welfare policy
FP13
Total number of incidents of non-compliance with laws and regulations, and adherence with voluntary standards
related to transportation, handling, and slaughter practices for live terrestrial and aquatic animals.
Key to indicators:
Fully
Partially
Not covered
GENERAL MILLS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
119