Sustainable and responsible sourcing

Eliminating deforestation through responsible sourcing and packaging

Deforestation
While we have minimal sourcing exposure to deforestation risks, we’re focused on eliminating deforestation and the resulting effects on biodiversity, endangered species, farmer livelihoods, climate change and more. We regularly review our global footprint and are focused on ingredients that bring the most risk of deforestation and look at where we can make a meaningful impact: palm oil, cocoa and fiber packaging.

We’re a founding member of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Forest Positive Coalition of Action (FPCoA), which requires member companies to collaboratively work towards a forest positive future, and work with suppliers on deforestation-free production

Palm oil
We’re a relatively small buyer of palm oil, using less than 0.5% of global palm oil supply in products like baking mixes, biscuits, and snack products. However, we recognize that we have an opportunity to positively impact ecosystems and climate change through our purchasing practices towards deforestation-free palm oil. Learn more about how we source Palm Oil.

Cocoa
More than 90% of our cocoa supply comes from West Africa. We work closely with non-governmental organizations and supplier partners in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire to invest and scale sustainable sourcing programs with a focus on strengthening smallholder farmer livelihoods, empowering women, and improving ingredient quality. Learn more on our approach to cocoa sourcing and partnerships.

Fiber packaging
General Mills uses fiber packaging (cartons and corrugated cardboard) that is predominantly recycled (61%).* Virgin sources make up 39% of our supply chain; of that 75% is certified to pulp origin and 98.4% is traceable to one or more countries of origin.

Today, 98.4% of our volume is considered low-risk for deforestation. This volume is sourced from recycled materials, PEFC/FSC certified virgin materials, or virgin materials from countries considered low-risk for deforestation. Only 1.6% of our volume is non-certified virgin.

Where that is the case, we engage with our suppliers to better understand their challenges, support certification strategies, and monitor their progress.

*2024 Supplier survey representing 97.4% of global volumes.

Dairy
General Mills has adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, the U.S. dairy industry’s social responsibility pledge to advance progress on a variety of issues, including animal care. All of the fluid milk we source in the U.S. for Yoplait comes from co-ops whose member farms operate in accordance with the standards of the National Milk Producers Federation animal care program, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management.