-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000897101-04-000352.txt : 20040223
<SEC-HEADER>0000897101-04-000352.hdr.sgml : 20040223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040223142201
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000897101-04-000352
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040223

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL MILLS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040704
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	GRAIN MILL PRODUCTS [2040]
		IRS NUMBER:				410274440
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0525

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NUMBER ONE GENERAL MILLS BLVD
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55426
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(763) 764-7600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1113
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55440

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROSE MICHAEL D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001018583

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01185
		FILM NUMBER:		04621720

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
		STREET 2:		6305 HUMPHREYS BLVD., STE 110
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4072454000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5900 LAKE ELLENOR DRIVE
		STREET 2:		DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32809
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>gis040925rose_3ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040704</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL MILLS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GIS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001018583</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROSE MICHAEL D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MIDARO INVESTMENTS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1000 RIDGEWAY LOOK, SUITE 100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MEMPHIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>38120</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1980</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6964</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>OPTION TO BUY</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.065</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1997-09-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-09-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>OPTION TO BUY</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>34.030</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1998-09-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-09-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>OPTION TO BUY</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.625</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-09-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-09-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>OPTION TO BUY</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>41.11</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-09-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-09-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock unit award granted under the General Mills, Inc. 1996 Compansation Plan for Non-employee Directors Committee of the Board of Directors of General Mills - no set value.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Elizabeth Wittenberg by Power of Attorney on behalf of Michael D. Rose</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>gis040925rose_ex24.txt
<TEXT>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

I appoint Siri S. Marshall, Michael L. Davis, Elizabeth L. Wittenberg, Trevor V.
Gunderson and Kathleen M. Curran, together and separately, to be my
attorneys-in-fact. This means they may, in my place:

o    sign Securities and Exchange Commission Forms 3, 4, and 5, and all
     amendments to these forms, reporting transactions in General Mills' equity
     securities;

o    file these forms and amendments with the SEC;

o    perform the acts that need to be done concerning these filings; and

o    name others to take their place.

I am responsible for everything my attorneys-in-fact do when acting lawfully
within the scope of this Power of Attorney.

The attorneys-in-fact, in acting at my request, are not assuming any of my
responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. General Mills is not assuming my Section 16 responsibilities either.

This Power of Attorney remains in effect until:

o    I am no longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 for General Mills'
     securities; or

o    I revoke it, in writing, and deliver the revocation to my
     attorneys-in-fact.


                                                     s/ Michael D. Rose
                                                      --------------------------
                                                     Michael D. Rose
                                                     Dated:  February 9, 2004
                                                             ----------------

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
