General Mills Named to World’s Most Ethical Companies list

Company honored by the Ethisphere Institute for ‘Impressive and Meaningful’ ethical business practices

06/06/2008

The Ethisphere Institute named General Mills to Ethisphere’s second-annual World’s Most Ethical Companies list. General Mills received the award at Ethisphere and Forbes’ joint-conference, “Driving Profit through Ethical Leadership.”

“Every day, General Mills strives to reflect its commitment to ethics and integrity in every aspect of its operations as we live our mission of Nourishing Lives,” said Ken Powell, General Mills CEO and chairman of the board. “Ethical business leadership is not only the right thing for companies to do, but it also benefits our business.”

Ethisphere’s extensive research process to select this year’s companies included reviewing over 10,000 of the world’s leading companies on six continents. Ethisphere analysts reviewed codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluated investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looked at companies’ activities to improve corporate citizenship; studied nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers; and worked with consumer action groups for feedback and rating.

“General Mills is among the companies honored this year because they have developed impressive and meaningful ethical business practices, making them a true standout within their industry,” said Alexander Brigham, executive director of Ethisphere Institute. “They go well beyond legal minimums, opting instead to bring about innovative ideas that contribute to the public well being.”

The list of World’s Most Ethical companies will be featured in the Q2 issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

To learn more about General Mills’ ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility efforts, visit the company’s Web site at www.generalmills.com.

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For more information contact:
Heidi Geller
General Mills
763-764-6364