EXHIBIT 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2003

                            CONTACTS: (Media) Marybeth Thorsgaard (763) 764-6364
                            --------       (Analysts) Kris Wenker (763) 764-2607


             GENERAL MILLS RECEIVES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM SEC

     MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: GIS) today announced that
it has received a formal request for information from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning the company's sales practices and related
accounting. The Commission has advised General Mills that it has not reached any
conclusions related to the information requested.

     General Mills believes that its business and accounting practices are
proper and comply with all applicable regulations. The company is cooperating
fully in providing the information requested.