US kefir manufacturer Lifeway Foods yesterday (5 July) announced that sales for the second quarter, ended 30 June, were up 20% to US$6.37m from $5.1m reported in Q2 2005.


Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s CEO, said: “The second quarter 2006 was another outstanding quarter for Lifeway Foods. Our new Probug’s Organic Whole Milk Kefir has already hit the shelf, and is continuing to be approved by several major grocery chains including Whole Foods, Albertsons, and Kroger. We believe this new and innovative dairy product for kids, the first in the dairy industry, will further bring awareness of Lifeway’s award winning Kefir beverages.


“We are also confident our strong first half results will continue in the second half of 2006 as awareness of our products grow and we continue to gain more distribution.”