<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-07-03</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000051410</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTERNATIONAL MULTIFOODS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IMC</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205932</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JOHNSON DENNIS R/</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>V.P. and Controller</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-07-03</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>19.25</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>7227</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-07-03</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1686</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>22.83</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5541</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Stock Option</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>19.25</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-07-03</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>2000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue><value>19.25</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>1994-12-10</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2003-12-09</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>2000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>0</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeSecurity>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Includes an aggregate of 1,000 restricted shares which were granted to the Reporting Person under the stock-based incentive plans of International Multifoods Corporation (the "Company").  While the Reporting Person has the right to vote the shares and a qualified right to receive dividends thereon, the shares do not fully vest until future dates pursuant to the respective plans and Restricted Stock Award Agreements.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person also indirectly beneficially owns 9115.7989 shares of Common Stock of the Company through the Company's 401(k) Plan.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Dennis R. Johnson</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-07-08</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

