EXHIBIT 12


                               GENERAL MILLS, INC.
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                                                 Fiscal Year Ended
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  May 28,   May 30,   May 31,   May 25,  May 26,
                                     2000      1999      1998      1997     1996
                                     ----      ----      ----      ----     ----

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges   6.25      6.67      5.63      6.54     6.94

     For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
represent pretax income from operations, plus pretax earnings or losses of joint
ventures, plus fixed charges, less adjustment for capitalized interest. Fixed
charges represent gross interest expense plus one-third (the proportion deemed
representative of the interest factor) of rents of continuing operations.


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