• December 21, 2007

General Mills reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 ending Nov. 25, including a 7% uptick in sales to $3.70 billion. Net earnings totaled $391 million. Product recall expenses reduced 2008 second-quarter earnings per share by 4 cents.

Second-quarter net sales for General Mills' U.S. retail operations grew 3% of which the snack division increased 12% fueled by continued strong sales and market share gains for Nature Valley grain snacks, Fiber One bars and fruit snacks. Yoplait division net sales increased 11% and net sales for Big G cereals and baking products both grew 3%. Net sales for the company's Small Planet Foods organic business rose a whopping 14%. In the Bakeries and Foodservice segment, net sales grew 8%.

--Tanya Irwin