The new rules, which run to 3,577 words, apply to any dispute following the purchase of one of its products - which could be a packet of Cheerios, a Nature Valley health bar or a pot of Yoplait yoghurt.
According to the new legal terms customers who join the company’s “online community”, redeem a promotional coupon or enter a competition have agreed to sign away their legal right to take General Mills to court.
They can only terminate this agreement by giving written notice - including providing their name and year of birth.
The company said that these rules did not, however, apply to Facebook and Twitter. They also do not apply to consumers in the UK.
Nearly two years ago the company was sued by two California mothers who disputed that the company’s Nature Valley products were natural.
In their lawsuit, they accused the company of capitalising on consumers’ desire for unprocessed food by labelling products as natural when they contained such ingredients as high maltose corn syrup.
Only last month another judge rejected an attempt by General Mills to dismiss another class action lawsuit over the marketing of its Nature Valley range.
A spokesman for General Mills said the rules did prevent making a claim against the company - but only determined where it would be heard.
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