Expands into ready-to-cook Italian meals

MELBOURNE, Victoria (Australia) – General Mills announced today that it has signed a contract to buy Pasta Master, a producer of chilled Italian meals, pasta and sauces based in Bendigo, Victoria. The sale is expected to be completed in March 2011.

The sale includes the business and a production facility in Bendigo.  About 75 people at the facility will become part of General Mills when the sale is completed. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

“The acquisition of Pasta Master strategically broadens our ready-to-cook pasta offerings to consumers,” said Markus Muehleisen, managing director of General Mills Australia.  “Its long history of innovation and quality in Italian meals fit well with our Latina portfolio, which is Australia’s No. 1 brand of fresh pasta and sauces.”

In addition to Latina, General Mills also markets Old El Paso Mexican food, Betty Crocker cake mixes and Nature Valley muesli bars, which were introduced last April.

About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.

For more information, contact:

Wendy Tai (U.S.)  
General Mills
1-763-764-6364

Sheena Coffey
Porter Novelli Melbourne
613-9289-9555