GlenOaks’ product offering includes six different flavours of its popular drinkable yogurt products that are made with fruit purée and fresh California dairy. GlenOaks drinkable yogurt contains 3.5 billion probiotic cultures per serving and have been enjoyed by health-conscious customers for generations.

“We are very excited to welcome GlenOaks Farms into the Lifeway family, as it will further solidify our strong position in California and the Western US,” commented Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s president and chief executive officer. “Their drinkable yogurt is an incredible strategic complement to our kefir and will help expand our presence in key retail partners in the West, which is a crucial area of growth. This acquisition unlocks an adjacent health-oriented consumer and stays true to our core mission of supporting the gut health, immunity and mental wellbeing of our customers. We look forward to further developing the robust California market and exploring opportunities to expand GlenOaks nationwide.”

GlenOaks probiotic drinkable yogurt is both strategically aligned and extremely compatible with the Lifeway brand ethos and health-driven mission.

Lifeway says it sees a strong potential for growth of the GlenOaks product by integrating it into the Lifeway brand and expanding distribution with new retail opportunities.

The transaction is expected to close in August 2021 for a purchase price of $5.8 million in cash, subject to certain adjustment conditions and approvals.

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“I am very pleased to report another exciting and strong year of growth here at Lifeway, particularly in light of this difficult year defined by the Covid-19 pandemic,” commented Julie Smolyansky, CEO and president of Lifeway. “Of note, our net sales grew 8.9% to $102.0 million compared to 2019, and our net income increased from $0.5 million in 2019 to $3.2 million in 2020. The food retail environment has been majorly reshaped this year, and our decision to focus on digital engagement has paid dividends in continuing to attract more and more consumers to our multi-serve, immune supporting products.

“I am very encouraged by the ongoing market trends towards healthy products like Lifeway’s, and I believe this momentum will carry on far past just 2021. Our current retail partnerships are seeing gains, illustrated by our strong results, as we continue to enhance category growth, and we plan on both expanding the current and identifying new profitable relationships in the year ahead. Finally, this year we will continue to invest in customer acquisition strategies because we want more and more people to hear the Lifeway story. We are looking forward to an outstanding 2021.”

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To submit a news item for inclusion, please contact Suzanne Christiansen at suzanne@bellpublishing.com or Alex Rivers at arivers@bellpublishing.com.

• Lifeway Foods, US supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, has created two new products to support immunity and help consumers improve overall health.
• Jersey Dairy has introduced its new Thickshake Mix (pictured above) made with milk straight from the dairy’s famous Jersey cows.
• Worthy Farm – home of the iconic Glastonbury Festival and award-winning dairy farm – has launched its first ever Reserve Cheddar cheese.

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3.5oz Functional Shot Multipacks: Designed to enjoy kefir on-the-go or between meals, these 3.5oz bottles give the perfect boost of nutrients in a convenient, smaller size, according to the company. Each serving contains 12 live and active probiotic cultures, 4g of protein and are a great source of calcium and vitamin D. Available in four flavors: Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, Strawberry and Mango.

Organic Grassfed Kefir: Made with synbiotics, this line of grass fed kefir is sourced from midwestern cow’s milk for a great source of calcium and gut-nourishing prebiotic fibre that can support a healthy immune system and promote a balanced and diverse microbiome. Available in four flavors: Plain, Vanilla, Strawberry and Mango.

The 3.5oz Functional Shot Multipacks and Organic Grassfed Kefir are lactose intolerance-friendly and naturally gluten-free.

For more information, visit: lifewaykefir.com.

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To submit a news item for inclusion, please contact Suzanne Christiansen at suzanne@bellpublishing.com or Alex Rivers at arivers@bellpublishing.com.

• Lifeway Foods is applauding a recent scientific review highlighting kefir as a potential protective dietary supplementation against viral infections, including Covid-19.
• Ingredion EMEA has launched a new low sugar glucose syrup, ideal for applications such as ice cream.
• Chr Hansen has announced the launch of its next-generation Premium cultures for fresh dairy producers.
• Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a new organic functional solution for cooking-stable cheese products.

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With the world awaiting a vaccine to combat the coronavirus, consumer demand for products and methods to boost the immune system and suppress viral infections is on the rise. The review discusses the following about kefir, the fermented milk made from kefir grains:

• Kefir and kefir derivatives can suppress viral activity by modulating immune-system responses and/or causing disruption of viral adhesion [26,27].
• The antiviral mechanisms of kefir involve enhancement of macrophage production and boosting the activity of proinflammatory cytokines [27].
• Kefir dietaries have anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the activity of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, meaning the nutrients and various biomolecules produced [27].

“At Lifeway Foods, we are on a mission to keep our communities healthy, and a big part of that mission is educating consumers that good health and immunity starts within the gut,” states Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, Inc. “With viral infections like Covid-19 at the forefront of our minds, it’s important that studies like this continue to educate and demonstrate to people everywhere how probiotic products such as kefir may help mitigate the viral risks we all face. This review builds upon the foundation of Nobel Prize winner Élie Metchnikoff’s research on immunology. Metchnikoff is revered for first discovering the connection between immunity and probiotic fermented milk products, such as kefir, over 100 years ago. Today, we honour his legacy by celebrating the ongoing research and spreading the word about the benefits of probiotics and kefir.”

As the leading US supplier of kefir, Lifeway Kefir is made with 12 active cultures and packed with protein, calcium and Vitamin D. Each product is loaded with probiotics, which research suggests may help to support the microbiome and protect against infections. Additionally, probiotic products such as Lifeway Kefir may help support the body’s response to decrease inflammation.

To learn more about Lifeway and its products, visit: lifewayfoods.com.

To view the full review published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy Volume 133, visit: Sciencedirect.com.

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