Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
May 29, 2011
May 31, 2009
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)    
Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block]
 Fiscal 2011
In Millions Pretax Tax Net
Net earnings attributable to General Mills    $ 1,798.3
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests      5.2
Net earnings, including earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests    $ 1,803.5
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Foreign currency translation$ 358.3$ -$ 358.3
Net actuarial gain  93.5  (32.4)  61.1
Other fair value changes:      
Securities  (5.8)  2.2  (3.6)
Hedge derivatives  (39.8)  14.4  (25.4)
Reclassification to earnings:      
Hedge derivatives  29.8  (11.3)  18.5
Amortization of losses and prior service costs   108.7  (41.5)  67.2
Other comprehensive income (loss) in accumulated other comprehensive loss  544.7  (68.6)  476.1
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests  0.7  -  0.7
Other comprehensive income (loss)$ 545.4$ (68.6)$ 476.8
Total comprehensive income    $ 2,280.3
 Fiscal 2009
In Millions Pretax Tax Net
Net earnings attributable to General Mills    $ 1,304.4
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests      9.3
Net earnings, including earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests    $ 1,313.7
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Foreign currency translation$ (286.6)$ -$ (286.6)
Net actuarial loss  (1,254.0)  477.8  (776.2)
Other fair value changes:      
Securities  (0.6)  0.2  (0.4)
Hedge derivatives  8.0  (3.4)  4.6
Reclassification to earnings:      
Hedge derivatives  (11.9)  4.6  (7.3)
Amortization of losses and prior service costs   24.2  (9.2)  15.0
Other comprehensive income (loss) in accumulated other comprehensive loss  (1,520.9)  470.0  (1,050.9)
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests  (1.2)  -  (1.2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)$ (1,522.1)$ 470.0$ (1,052.1)
Total comprehensive income    $ 261.6
Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Text Block
In Millions  May 29, 2011  May 30, 2010
Foreign currency translation adjustments $ 553.2 $ 194.9
Unrealized gain (loss) from:      
Securities   2.0   5.6
Hedge derivatives   (35.8)   (28.9)
Pension, other postretirement, and postemployment benefits:      
Net actuarial loss   (1,509.5)   (1,611.0)
Prior service costs   (20.7)   (47.5)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (1,010.8) $ (1,486.9)
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