General Mills
OVERALL |
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Owned |
USA |
Rating |
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Food company, especially grain based
USA's #2 cereal maker (behind Kellogg).
General Mills Inc | USA | website |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
General Mills Inc | ||||
This company received a score of 9 out of a possible total of 9 in the WWF Palm Oil Buyers' Scorecard 2016, which rates companies on what they are - and aren't - doing to prevent the negative environmental and social impacts of palm oil production.
[Source 2016][More on Palm Oil]
In 2018, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
[Source 2018][More on Climate Change]
The Union of Concerned Scientists' 2015 Palm Oil Scorecard scores America's top brands on their commitments to use deforestation-free palm oil. This company received a score of 77.8/100, signifying strong commitment.
[Source 2015][More on Palm Oil]
In 2018, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
[Source 2018][More on Human Rights]
This company received a SAM Rank of 86/100 in the Food Products category of the 2018 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The index is based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
[Source 2018][More on Sustainability Reporting]
The Forest 500 identifies, ranks, and tracks the governments, companies and financial institutions worldwide that together could virtually eradicate tropical deforestation. Rankings are based on their public policies and commitments and potential impacts on tropical forests in the context of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soya, beef, leather, timber, and pulp and paper). This company received a score of 4/5.
[Source 2018][More on Forests]
In 2018, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests Score of B.
[Source 2018][More on Forests]
EWG's 2015 report "BPA in Canned Food" analyzed 252 canned food brands to find out which ones are still using BPA (bisphenol A), a synthetic estrogen found in the epoxy coatings of food cans which has been linked to many health problems. This company was amongst the 'Better Players' for using BPA free-cans for some of its brands and/or products.
[Source 2015][More on Product Safety]
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
[Source 2019][More on Workers Rights]
This company received a score of 60.3/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
[Source 2017][More on Sustainability Reporting]
The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list is an extensive data-driven corporate sustainability assessment. The ranked companies are leaders in the field of a sustainable business approach. The efficiency of a company's energy, water, CO2 and waste management is measured in relation to its total sales volume. The disclosure of that information is a pre-condition for the assessment. This company ranked #69 in the 2016 Global 100.
[Source 2016][More on Sustainability Reporting] |
This company received a score of 4.5/100 (retrieved 14-Feb-2018) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
[Source 2018][More on Habitats]
This company sources palm oil from at least 20 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown". In addition to deforestation, the 25 individual cases in the report include evidence of exploitation and social conflicts, illegal deforestation, development without permits, plantation development in areas zoned for protection and forest fires linked to land clearance.
[Source 2018][More on Palm Oil]
In 2018 volunteers collected and catalogued more than 187,000 pieces of trash from beach cleanups around the world to find out which corporations are contributing the most to the global plastic pollution problem. While not in the top 10, this company ranked as one of the world's worst plastic polluters.
[Source 2018][More on Oceans]
In 2019 Rainforest Action Network (RAN) conducted a series of undercover investigations which showed that several major snack food producers, including this company, have been found purchasing palm oil from mills that have continued to source palm oil resulting from the illegal clearing of lowland rainforests within the nationally protected Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve in Indonesia. These mills are located immediately next to areas of illegal encroachment into the Leuser Ecosystem and lack the necessary procedures to trace the location where the palm oil they sell is grown, a key requirement for complying with the No Deforestation, No Peatlands, No Exploitation (NDPE) policy this company has publicly committed to.
[Source 2019][More on Palm Oil]
In Feb 2013 General Mills agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle a number of lawsuits that claim it made deceptive health claims about its Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurt.
[Source 2013][More on Irresponsible marketing]
This 2014 report by Friends of the Earth documents a tenfold increase in unregulated, unlabeled "nanofood" products on the American market since 2008. The report named this company among those with products containing unlabeled nano-ingredients. These nanomaterials differ significantly from larger particles of the same chemical composition, and new studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating they may be more toxic to humans and the environment.
[Source 2014][More on Product Safety]
In 2018 KnowTheChain benchmarked 120 large global companies in the ICT, Food & Beverage, and Apparel & Footwear sectors on their efforts to address forced labour and human trafficking in their supply chains. This company received a score of 35/100.
[Source 2018][More on Workers Rights]
The Access to Nutrition Index (ATNI) is a global initiative that evaluates the world's largest food and beverage manufacturers on their policies, practices and performance related to undernutrition and obesity. Of the 22 companies ranked this company came 15th.
[Source 2018][More on Product Safety] |
This company has products rated RED in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Products on the RED list contain ingredients that come from the most common GE crops (corn, soy, canola, cotton). Companies with products on this list have confirmed that their products may have or are likely to be made with GE ingredients, or have not denied using GE foods when given the opportunity to do so.
[Source 2013][More on Genetic Engineering]
Friends of the Earth's 2014 report "Tiny Ingredients, Big Risks" names this company as one of over 200 transnational food companies engaged in nanotechnology research and development, and on their way to commercializing products. New studies are adding to a growing body of scientific evidence indicating nanomaterials may be toxic to humans and the environment.
[Source 2014][More on Product Safety]
This company is a partner of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which claims will lift 50 million people in Africa out of poverty by 2022. But according to a 2015 report by ActionAid, the scheme will benefit multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers and is likely to increase poverty and inequality in Africa. Launched in 2012, the New Alliance provides aid money from rich countries like the US and the UK, and helps big business invest in the African agricultural sector. But in return, African countries are required to change their land, seed and trade rules in favour of big business. The New Alliance will: Make it easier for big corporations to grab land in Africa: Prevent farmers from breeding, saving and exchanging seeds: Heavily promote chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which increase farmersÂ’ risk of debt as well as damaging the environment and farmers' health: Replace family farms with low paid, insecure jobs; and Prevent countries from restricting crop exports, even at times of domestic shortage.
[Source 2015][More on Finance]
General Mills and Nestle began a joint venture in 1991 to produce breakfast cereals called Cereal Partners. The company is headquartered in Switzerland, and markets cereals in more than 130 countries. Nestle is the target of a long-standing boycott call.
[Source][More on Governance]
As a result of a campaign run by the Rainforest Action Network, General Mills announced a comprehensive palm oil policy that puts them at the front of the pack when it comes to American companies addressing the problems with palm oil.
[Source 2010][More on Palm Oil]
In 2016 General Mills joined Campbell's in being among the major food companies that have broken ranks with the industry's strong opposition to mandatory labeling laws. The company has announced it will label GMOs on all products in the USA, following the standards set by Vermont's labeling law until a national standard is set.
[Source 2016][More on Genetic Engineering]
In May 2014 Oxfam singled out Kellogg and General Mills as two of the worst food companies on climate and called on them to lead the sector towards more responsible policies and practices. In July 2014 Oxfam welcomed a commitment from General Mills to implement industry-leading measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chains and press for political action to address climate change.
[Source 2014][More on Climate Change]
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; remove commodity-driven deforestation from all supply chains by 2020.
[Source 2017][More on Climate Change]
This company was recognised as a leading organisation in the Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index. Participants are scored on three areas: Best practices in recruitment, retention and advancement of people from under-represented groups - women, racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people; creating an inclusive culture through leadership, accountability, communications and employee engagement; and transparency in willingness to share workforce demographic data.
[Source 2018][More on Workers Rights]
This company was named in the Working Mother 100 Best Companies 2018 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies help working parents succeed at home and at work by providing expanded parental leaves, more flexibility with work hours, assistance for special needs, and opportunities for career development.
[Source 2018][More on Workers Rights]
In 2015 General Mills received praise from the Humane Society for its commitment to working toward 100 percent cage free eggs for their US operations.
[Source 2015][More on Factory Farming]
In Jan 2013 General Mills received praise from the Humane Society for announcing that it will eliminate gestation crates - small cages used to confine breeding pigs - from its pork supply chains.
[Source 2013][More on Factory Farming]
This company is a member of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), an international membership organization representing more than 100 member companies across the cocoa value chain. WCF is committed to creating a sustainable cocoa economy through economic & social development and environmental stewardship in cocoa-growing communities.
[Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
[Source 2017][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
This company is a member of Guidance, a pre-competitive global initiative, convened by Quantis, which aims to provide a methodological guide with credible references that companies can use to account for the climate change impacts of their efforts on sustainable forests and agriculture in an accurate and credible manner.
[Source 2016][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
This company has signed up to the World Cocoa Foundation's frameworks to combat deforestation in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, signifying commitments on forest protection and restoration, and sustainable cocoa production and farmer livelihoods.
[Source 2017][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
This company is a member of Bonsucro - Better Sugar Cane Initiative, a global non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation fostering the sustainability of the sugarcane sector through its leading metric-based certification scheme and its support for continuous improvement for members.
[Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.
[Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
[Source x][More on Sustainability Reporting]
In 2016 Greenpeace published a report on the progress towards zero deforestation in the palm oil supply chains of several multinational companies. Companies were assessed on three criteria: responsible sourcing, transparency and industry reform. This company was rated as 'getting there'.
[Source 2016][More on Palm Oil]
The 2017 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 98 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel and Extractives sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 30-39 band range. The overall average score was 28.7%.
[Source 2017][More on Human Rights]
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
[Source 2018][More on Human Rights]
The 2017 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report ranks global food companies on how they are managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making Progress on Implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
[Source 2018][More on Animal Rights]
Oxfam's 2016 Behind the Brands Scorecard assesses the agricultural sourcing policies of the world's 10 largest food and beverage companies. It exclusively focuses on publicly available information that relates to the policies of these companies on their sourcing of agricultural commodities from developing countries. This company scored 40% (some progress).
[Source 2016][More on Governance]
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
[Source 2014] |
Company Details
Company Structure | Public company |
Revenue | US$17.6 billion in 2015 |
# Employees | 43,000 in 2014 |
Subsidiaries | General Mills Australia Pty Ltd - Pasta Master Pty Ltd Cereal Partners Worldwide SA (50% owned) - Cereal Partners Australia Pty Ltd |
Contact Details
Address | Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
Website | www.generalmills.com |
Products / Brands
General Mills Australia
Betty Crocker Cake Mix Fibre One Muesli Bars Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Latina Fresh Pasta Latina Ready to Eat Meals Nature Valley Muesli Bars Old El Paso Mexican |
Parampara Indian Pasta Master Fresh Pasta Pecks Savoury Spread Ready Chef Fresh Pasta Ready Chef Ready to Eat Meals |
Cereal Partners Australia
Cheerios Cereal
Healthwise Cereal Milo Cereal Morning Sun Muesli & Oats Nestle Cereal O&G Muesli & Oats Plus Cereal |
Purina Health Foods Co. Muesli & Oats
Uncle Tobys Cereal Uncle Tobys Muesli & Oats Uncle Tobys Muesli Bars Uncle Tobys Breakfast On the Go Vita Brits ![]() |