To: "'marcus.williamson@myrealbox.com'" <marcus.williamson@myrealbox.com>
Subject: General Mills Web Response 2001/12/26-0309 GME
From: Corporate Consumer Response <RESPO001@mail.genmills.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 09:06:36 -0600

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Dear Mr. Williamson:
 
Thank you for recent inquiry regarding General Mills' position on the use of
ingredients that have been modified through biotechnology.

First and foremost, all food must be safe.  It is not only the law, but also
an issue of ultimate importance to all food manufacturers.  Second, the Food
and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the
Environmental Protection Agency have all concluded that food using
ingredients from biotechnologically-improved crops is completely safe and no
different in any meaningful way from other food.  For that reason, the FDA
does not require special labeling for it.  However, if food has been
significantly altered in composition or nutrient content, or if
biotechnology introduces allergens into food, special labeling is required.
None of our products requires special labeling.  Accordingly, we do not test
them for the presence of this material.

Because of the growing use of biotechnology by farmers and the way that
grain gets commingled in storage and shipment, it's certainly possible that
some of our products may contain ingredients that have been improved through
biotechnology.  We can assure you, though, that every major regulatory
agency, as well as independent scientific groups like the American Medical
Association, has concluded that these ingredients are safe.  For more
information, you may wish to visit The Alliance for Better Foods website at
www.betterfoods.org.

General Mills also believes in providing consumers with a variety of food
options.  Toward that end, we do offer organic products that, by definition,
do not use ingredients that have been improved through biotechnology.
Please look for organic Gold Medal flour, Sunrise organic cereal, and a wide
range of products from our Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen brands.  To get more
information about our organic products, please visit us at
www.smallplanetfoods.com.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us.

Sincerely,

Glenda Ellis

General Mills
Consumer Services