10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

R	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
£	TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from: __________ to __________

Commission file number: 000-17363

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.

(Name of  registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois	36-3442829
(State or other jurisdiction of	(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

6431 West Oakton St., Morton Grove, Illinois 60053

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(847) 967-1010

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of Each Class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, No Par Value	Nasdaq Global Market

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  o   No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  o   No  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  þ      No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T(§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No £

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer  ¨ Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o   No R

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the stock was last sold as of June 29, 2012 ($10.37 per share as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market) was $51,043,898.

As of March 9, 2013, 16,346,017 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

None.

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.

Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1.	Business	2
Item 2.	Properties	12
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	13
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	13
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	13
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	16
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	35
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	35
Item 9B.	Other Information	36
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	37
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	39
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	40
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence	42
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	42
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	44
	Signatures	46
	Index of Exhibits	47

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT FACTORS

THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS

TO DIFFER FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, readers of this document and any document incorporated by reference herein, are advised that this document and documents incorporated by reference into this document contain both statements of historical facts and forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward looking statements. Examples of forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or losses per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure and other financial items, (ii) statements of Lifeway Foods, Inc.’s (“Lifeway” or the “Company”) plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers, suppliers, competitors or regulatory authorities, (iii) statements of future economic performance, and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business.

This document and any documents incorporated by reference herein also identify important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include price competition, the decisions of customers or consumers, the actions of competitors, changes in the pricing of commodities, the effects of government regulation, possible delays in the introduction of new products, customer acceptance of products and services, and other factors which are described herein and/or in documents incorporated by reference herein.

The cautionary statements made pursuant to the Private Litigation Securities Reform Act of 1995 above and elsewhere by Lifeway should not be construed as exhaustive or as any admission regarding the adequacy of disclosures made by Lifeway prior to the effective date of such act. Forward looking statements are beyond the ability of Lifeway to control and in many cases we cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward looking statements.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Lifeway Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “Lifeway”), an Illinois corporation, commenced operations in February 1986, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois on May 19, 1986. The Company’s principal business activity is the manufacturing of probiotic, cultured, functional dairy and non-dairy health food products. Lifeway’s primary products are kefir, a drinkable dairy beverage similar to but distinct from yogurt, in several flavors sold under the name “Lifeway Kefir” and “Helios Nutrition Organic Kefir”; a line of yogurts sold under the “Lassi” brand; and “BasicsPlus,” a dairy based immune-supporting dietary supplement beverage. In addition to the drinkable products, Lifeway manufactures “Lifeway Farmer Cheese,” a line of various farmer cheeses, a line of gourmet cream cheeses, and “Sweet Kiss,” a fruit sugar-flavored spreadable cheese similar in consistency to cream cheese. The Company also manufactures and markets a vegetable-based seasoning under the “Golden Zesta” brand. Lifeway manufactures all of its products at Company-owned facilities and distributes its products throughout the United States. In the Chicago metropolitan area, Lifeway distributes its products on its own trucks and via one distributor. The Company directly distributes its products in the Philadelphia and Tri State metropolitan areas using its own trucks.

SUBSIDIARY ENTITIES

On August 3, 2006, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Helios Nutrition, Ltd. (“Helios”). Pride of Main Street Dairy, L.L.C., a Minnesota limited liability company, is 100% owned by Helios.

Starfruit, L.L.C. and Starfruit Franchisor, L.L.C. are both wholly-owned subsidiaries formed on March 26, 2007 and July 15, 2008, respectively, in connection with the Company’s Starfruit cafe activities.

On February 6, 2009, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Fresh Made, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“Fresh Made”).

On October 14, 2010, Lifeway First Juice, Inc., an Illinois corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Lifeway First Juice”) acquired substantially all of the assets of First Juice, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“First Juice”).

BUSINESS OF ISSUER

PRODUCTS

Lifeway’s primary product is kefir, which, like the better-known product of yogurt, is a fermented dairy product. Kefir has a slightly effervescent quality, with a taste similar to yogurt and a consistency similar to buttermilk. It is a product distinct from yogurt because it incorporates the unique microorganisms of kefir as the cultures to ferment the milk. Lifeway’s Kefir is a drinkable product intended for use as a breakfast meal or a snack, or as a base for lower-calorie dressings, dips, soups or sauces. Kefir is also used as the base of Lifeway’s plain farmer’s cheese, a cheese made without salt, sugar or animal rennet. In addition, kefir is the primary ingredient of Lifeway’s “Sweet Kiss” product, a fruit sugar-flavored, cream cheese-like spread which is intended to be used as a dessert spread or frosting.

Kefir contains a unique mixture of several live microorganisms and nutrients such as proteins, minerals and vitamins. Kefir is a good source of calcium, protein and B Vitamins. In addition, because the fermentation process does not produce a highly sour-tasting product, the end product has fewer calories than some similar products in the dairy category.

Lifeway currently sells some or all of the products listed below, except as specifically noted, to various retail establishments including supermarkets, grocery stores, gourmet shops, delicatessens and convenience stores.

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LIFEWAY’S KEFIR. “Lifeway’s Kefir” is a drinkable kefir product manufactured in ten regular and low-fat varieties, including plain, pomegranate, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, cherry, peach, banana-strawberry, cappuccino and vanilla, and sold in 32-ounce containers and 8-ounce single serving containers featuring color-coded caps and labels describing nutritional information. In March 1996, Lifeway began marketing its non-fat, low-cholesterol kefir in six flavors — plain, raspberry, strawberry, strawberry-banana, peach and blueberry. The kefir product is currently marketed under the name “Lifeway’s Kefir,” and is typically sold by retailers from their dairy sections.

LIFEWAY’S ORGANIC KEFIR. “Lifeway’s Organic Kefir” meets the organic standards and specifications of the United States Department of Agriculture for organic products and is manufactured in five flavors: plain, wildberry, raspberry, strawberry and peach. Lifeway’s Organic Kefir is sweetened with organic cane juice.

LIFEWAY’S SLIM6. “Lifeway’s Slim6” is a line of low-fat kefir beverages with no added sugar designed for consumers who follow low-carbohydrate diets. Lifeway’s Slim6 has only 8 grams of carbohydrates and 2.5 grams of fat per 8-ounce serving and is available in five flavors: strawberries n’ cream, mixed berry, tropical fruit, strawberry-banana and an original, unsweetened version.

PROBUGS. “ProBugs” is a kefir product that contains ten live and active kefir cultures. Aimed at children ages 2-9, ProBugscomes in three flavors, “Sublime Slime Lime®,” “Orange Creamy Crawler®” and “Goo-Berry Pie®” and is packaged in no spill spout pouches designed as cartoon bug characters Peter, Polly and Penelope ProBug®.

FARMER CHEESE. “Farmer Cheese” is based on a cultured soft cheese and is intended to be used in a variety of recipes as a low fat, low-cholesterol, low-calorie substitute for cream cheese or ricotta, and is available in various styles.

SWEET KISS. “Sweet Kiss” is a sweet cheese probiotic spread available in five flavors: plain, plain with raisins, apple, peach and chocolate.

ELITA; BAMBINO. “Elita” and “Bambino” cheeses are low-fat, low-cholesterol kefir based cheese spreads which are marketed as an alternative to cream cheese.

KRESTYANSKI TWOROG. “Krestyanski Tworog” is a European-style kefir-based soft style cheese which can also be used in a variety of recipes, eaten with a spoon, used as a cheese spread, or substituted in recipes for cream cheese, ricotta cheese or cottage cheese and is marketed to consumers of various Eastern European ethnicities.

BASICS PLUS. “Basics Plus” is a kefir-based beverage product designed to support gastrointestinal functions and the immune system. This product contains certain “passive immunity products” purchased from GalaGen, Inc. prior to its 2002 bankruptcy. Lifeway is currently engaged in discussion with several potential new suppliers of passive immunity products and is not currently manufacturing this beverage.

KEFIR STARTER. “Kefir Starter” is a powdered form of kefir that is sold in envelope packets and allows a consumer to make his or her own drinkable kefir at home by adding milk. Lifeway continues to develop sales of this product via the internet.

LASSI. “Lassi” is a cultured drink inspired by the traditions of India. Sold in 8-ounce containers in two flavors, strawberry and mango.

GOLDEN ZESTA. “Golden Zesta” is a vegetable-based seasoning, which, because of its low sodium content, may also be used as a salt substitute and is marketed to delicatessens, gourmet shops and ethnic grocers.

HELIOS NUTRITION ORGANIC KEFIR. “Helios Nutrition Organic Kefir” is a kefir product made from organic milk and manufactured with a unique blend of active cultures. It is sold in 8 and 32 ounce bottles and made in five flavors: peach, plain, strawberry, vanilla and raspberry.

Lifeway intends to continue to develop new products based on kefir and Farmer Cheese. There is no assurance that such products or any other new products can be developed successfully or marketed profitably.

DISTRIBUTION

With its seventeen Company-owned trucks, Lifeway distributes its products directly and extensively in the State of Illinois, primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area. Lifeway also directly distributes its products in the Philadelphia and Tri State metropolitan area.

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In addition to the Chicago, Philadelphia and Tri State metropolitan areas, Lifeway’s products are distributed to stores throughout the United States. Lifeway has verbal distribution arrangements with various distributors throughout the United States. Lifeway believes these verbal distribution arrangements allow management the necessary latitude to expand into new areas and markets and establish new relationships with distributors on an ongoing basis. Lifeway has not offered any exclusive territories to any distributors.

Distributors are provided Lifeway products at wholesale prices for distribution to their retail accounts. Lifeway believes that the price at which its products are sold to its distributors is competitive with the prices generally paid by distributors for similar products in the markets served. In all areas served, distributors currently deliver the products directly to the refrigerated cases of dairy sections of their retail customers. Each distributor carries a line of Lifeway’s products on its trucks, checks the retail stores for space allocated to Lifeway’s products, determines inventory requirements of the store and places Lifeway products directly into the retailers’ dairy cases. Lifeway believes this method of distribution best serves the needs of each retail store, and is the best available means to ensure consistency and quality of product handling, quality control, flavor selection and favorable retail display. The Company expects customers, either distributors who go into third party retail stores to sell the product they have purchased from us, or the direct retail customer that may service their own stores, as general good business practice to rotate the perishable products, make or obtain frequent delivery of products, replacement of damaged, old or substandard packages and deliver or have deliveries made directly to the refrigerated case. It is to the benefit of the distributor or retailer, as well as the Company, not to have spoiled, out dated, or substandard product on the shelf. However, due to the perishable nature of the product, the Company’s distributors and retailers have no right to return any product to the Company.

MARKETING

Lifeway continues to promote the verifiable nutritional characteristics, purity and good taste of its kefir and kefir-based products. Lifeway primarily advertises its products through local radio stations, which advertisements are directed to both users and non-users of cultured milk products of all kinds. In addition, through newspaper and magazine advertising, Lifeway provides educational information on its products and appeals to the common perception that the products may be of particular health benefit, including promoting digestion, and continues to educate the public on the possible health benefits which could be derived from the use of kefir and kefir-based products.

In addition to local radio stations, newspapers and magazines, Lifeway promotes further exposure of its products through the internet (via our website, social media and blogs), catalog advertising and promotion, store demonstrations throughout the United States, and participation in various trade shows. Lifeway also sponsors several different sporting events in the Chicago metropolitan area as an additional marketing tool.

COMPETITION

Although Lifeway faces a small amount of direct competition for kefir products, Lifeway’s kefir-based products compete with all other yogurt and other dairy products. Many producers of yogurt and other dairy products are well-established and have significantly greater financial resources than Lifeway to promote their products.

In connection with the certain Stockholders’ Agreement, as amended, between Lifeway, Danone Foods, Inc. and other parties, as well as certain other transactions between the two foregoing companies described elsewhere in this report, the parties agreed that they would not compete with each other during the term of the Stockholders’ Agreement with respect to certain yogurt, cheese and kefir products. The term of the non-compete obligation expired on December 31, 2010. The remaining provisions of the Stockholders’ Agreement are in full force and effect.

SUPPLIERS

Lifeway purchases its raw materials, such as milk, sugar and fruit from unaffiliated suppliers, and is not limited or contractually bound to any supplier. Lifeway has ready access to multiple suppliers for all of its raw materials and packaging requirements. Prior to making any purchase, Lifeway determines which supplier can offer the lowest price for the highest quality of product. The raw and packaging materials purchased by Lifeway are considered commodity items and are widely available on the open market with the exception of one ingredient in BasicsPlus which we are not currently manufacturing. Lifeway owns and operates the means of production of all of its products.

MAJOR CUSTOMERS

Lifeway distributes its products to numerous accounts throughout the United States. Concentrations of credit with regard to trade accounts receivable and sales are limited due to the fact that Lifeway’s customers are spread across different geographic areas. However, customers are concentrated in the retail food industry, for example, Trader Joe’s and United Natural Foods. In 2012, two customers represented approximately 31% of sales and reflected sales in various regions of the United States outside the Chicago metropolitan area.

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TRANSACTIONS WITH GROUPE DANONE SA

All share amounts and prices in this subsection are historical and have not been adjusted for the stock splits which occurred in the first quarter of 2004 and the second quarter of 2006. On October 1, 1999, Lifeway and certain members of the Smolyansky family sold shares of restricted common stock to Danone at $10.00 per share. Later in 1999, Danone purchased additional shares of common stock from certain individuals, including shares purchased in transactions with certain Company affiliates, including Lifeway’s founder Michael Smolyansky, Val Nikolenko, Vice President of Production and Pol Sikar, a director, and his affiliates. As a result of these transactions, Danone became the beneficial owner of approximately 20% of the outstanding common stock of Lifeway. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the transaction, Lifeway granted certain limited rights to Danone, which include a right to nominate one director, anti-dilutive rights relating to future offerings and limited registration rights. In addition, as described above, Lifeway and Danone are parties to a Stockholders’ Agreement dated October 1, 1999, as amended through extensions of certain provisions pursuant to which the parties agreed, among other things, that they would not compete with each other with respect to certain kefir products. The terms of the non-compete obligation expired on December 31, 2010. The Stockholders’ Agreement also provides that Danone may not own more than 20% of the outstanding common stock of Lifeway as a result of direct or indirect acquisition of shares during the standstill period, which expired on December 31, 2010. Danone’s interest as of December 31, 2012 was approximately 21.1% due to reductions in Lifeway’s shares outstanding, primarily due to share repurchases by Lifeway. The remaining provisions of the Stockholders’ Agreement are in full force and effect.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, LICENSES, ROYALTY AGREEMENTS

All trademark registrations have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), unless otherwise noted below. Each trademark registration may be renewed upon expiration. Lifeway intends to make all timely filings as required for all trademarks listed.

Mark/Reg. No.	Goods/Services	Date of Registration	Expiration of Registration	Comments
ProBug Design 1, Reg. No. 3266378	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy- based food beverage used as milk substitute	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2017	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
ProBug Design 2, Reg. No. 3263130	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy- based food beverage used as milk substitute	July 10, 2007	July 10, 2017	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.

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Penelope ProBug Design, Reg. No. 3408792	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy- based food beverage used as milk substitute	April 8, 2008	April 8, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
BA3APHBIII (a Stylized presentation of “bazarny” in Cyrillic characters), Reg. No. 3590660	cultured milk products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt; cheeses and cottage cheese	March 17, 2009	March 17, 2019	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
BAMBINO, Reg. No. 2770522	cheeses, cottage cheeses and other dairy products, excluding ice cream, ice milk, and frozen yogurt	October 7, 2003	October 7, 2013	An Affidavit of Continued Use was timely filed between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date. Registration is renewable between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
BAZARNY, Reg. No. 3597883	cultured milk products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt; cheeses and cottage cheese	March 31, 2009	March 31, 2019	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
BIO KEFIR, Reg. No. 3886709	yogurt, cheeses, cottage cheeses and other milk products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt	December 7, 2010	December 7, 2020	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.

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CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE MOUTHFUL AT A TIME. (Stylized), Reg. No. 3541999	fruit juices	December 2, 2008	December 2, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
FRUIT JUICE (Stylized), Reg. No. 3413276	fruit juices	April 15, 2008	April 15, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
Fruit Juice Logo, Reg. No. 3432421	fruit juices	May 20, 2008	May 20, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
GOO-BERRY PIE, Reg. No. 3405134	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy-based food beverages used as a milk substitute	April 1, 2008	April 1, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
HELIOS NUTRITION, Reg. No. 2283716	health foods, functional foods and medical foods, namely, dairy products excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt	October 5, 1999	October 5, 2019	Registration was timely renewed on April 2, 2010. Registration is renewable for ten year periods or during the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
KOROVKA, Reg. No. 2504027	dairy-based spread	November 6, 2001	November 6, 2021	Registration was timely renewed on November 6, 2011. Registration is renewable for ten year periods or during the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.

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KPECTBRHCKNN (a Stylized presentation of “krestyanskiy” in Cyrillic characters-means “peasant”), Reg. No. 2187363	cheeses, cottage cheeses and other milk products excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt	September 8, 1998	September 8, 2018	Registration was timely renewed on August 23, 2008. Registration is renewable for ten year periods or during the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
KWASHENKA, Reg. No. 2135974	kefir, yogurt, cheeses, cottage cheeses and other milk products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt	February 10, 1998	February 10, 2018	Registration was timely renewed on May 23, 2008. Registration is renewable for ten year periods or during the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
LA FRUTA, Reg. No. 2937061	cultured milk products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt	March 29, 2005	March 29, 2015	An Affidavit of Continued Use was timely filed between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date. Registration is renewable between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
LIFEWAY, Reg. No. 1571136	cheese and kefir	December 12, 1989	December 12, 2019	Registration was timely renewed on December 12, 2009. Registration is renewable for ten year periods or during the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
ORANGE CREAMY CRAWLER, Reg. No. 3263128	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy- based food beverage used as milk substitute	July 10, 2007	July 10, 2017	An Affidavit of Continued Use was timely filed between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date. Registration is renewable between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
PHYTOBOOST, Reg. No. 3982487	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy-based food beverage used as a milk substitute	June 21, 2011	June 21, 2021	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.

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PLAYGROUP PACK, Reg. No. 3634999	fruit juices	June 9, 2009	June 9, 2019	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
PRIDE OF MAIN STREET, MN Reg. No. 12947	dairy product	November 9, 1987	November 9, 2017	Only for the State of Minnesota, not in US – Registration was renewed in 2007. Registration is renewable for ten years.
PRO2O, Reg. No. 4226923	dairy-based beverages; dairy-based food beverages; kefir; soy-based food beverage used as a milk substitute beverages, namely, water and fruit and vegetable juices and fruit juices flavored with tea	October 16, 2012	October 16, 2022	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
PROBUGS, Reg. No. 3263129	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy- based food beverage used as milk substitute	July 10, 2007	July 10, 2017	An Affidavit of Continued Use was timely filed between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date. Registration is renewable between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
SOYTREAT, Reg. No. 3530754	soy-based food beverage intended for use as cultured milk substitute	November 11, 2008	November 11, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.

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STARFRUIT, Reg. No. 3513252	franchise services, namely, offering technical and business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants	October 7, 2008	October 7, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
STARFRUIT, Reg. No. 3454746	restaurant services	June 24, 2008	June 24, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
STARFRUIT (Stylized), Reg. No. 3879939	kefir	November 23, 2010	November 23, 2020	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
SUBLIME SLIME LIME, Reg. No. 3263134	dairy-based beverages; dairy- based food beverages; kefir; soy- based food beverage used as milk substitute	July 10, 2007	July 10, 2017	An Affidavit of Continued Use was timely filed between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date. Registration is renewable between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.
SWEET KISS, Reg. No. 2135975	cheeses, cottage cheeses and other milk products, excluding ice cream, ice milk and frozen yogurt	February 10, 1998	February 10, 2018	Registration was timely renewed on May 23, 2008. Registration is renewable for ten year periods or during the six-month grace period following the registration expiration date.

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TODDLER TASTEBUD TRAINING (Stylized), Reg. No. 3542008	fruit juices	December 2, 2008	December 2, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
TRAINING WHEELS FOR HEALTHY EATING (Stylized), Reg. No. 3412314	fruit juices	April 15, 2008	April 15, 2018	Registration is renewable at the time of expiration provided mandatory documents are filed with the USPTO between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of the registration date or the six-month grace period following the sixth anniversary date.
FIRST SMOOTHIE, Ser. No. 85111072	fruit beverages, namely, smoothies	Pending – Application filed August 19, 2010		Notice of Allowance (NOA) issued September 20, 2011. Applicant must file a Statement of Use or first Extension Request by March 20, 2012.

Lifeway also uses, and claims common law rights to, the following unregistered trademarks: “Elita,” “Healthy Foods Today for a Better Life Tomorrow,” “Milkshake Smoothie,” “Toplenka,” “White Cheese,” “Drink It to Be Beautiful Inside and Out,” “Golden Zesta” and “Pride of Main Street.”

In October 1998, Lifeway entered into a sublicense agreement with GalaGen, Inc. and Metagenics, Inc. with an effective date of May 1, 1998 (“Lifeway sublicense”), wherein GalaGen sublicensed patent rights of Metagenics for kefir-based products containing natural immune components exclusively to Lifeway. Under the rights granted to it by the Lifeway sublicense, Lifeway manufactures and sells products using the Basics Plus trademark. GalaGen had acquired the primary license for such patent rights in an agreement executed with Metagenics in April 1998.

The terms of the Lifeway sublicense provide that Metagenics will permit Lifeway to continue to have the exclusive patent rights to produce or sell kefir-based products containing natural immune components in the event the original license between GalaGen and Metagenics is terminated, and such termination was not caused by Lifeway. On February 25, 2002, GalaGen filed a petition for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota, which terminated both its primary license with Metagenics and its participation in the Lifeway sublicense. The license and sublicense were excluded from the sale of assets of GalaGen pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court. Lifeway has not received any indication that Metagenics will not permit Lifeway to continue to have the exclusive patent rights to produce or sell kefir-based products containing natural immune components. Thus, Lifeway believes that it continues to have the exclusive patent rights licensed directly from Metagenics. Either party may terminate the license agreement for cause. The term of the license agreement expires when the last valid claim of the patent rights expires, which currently is July 2, 2013. The licensed patent protected an ingredient in BasicPlus which Lifeway no longer produces. However, going forward, Lifeway may resume production of BasicPlus without constraint of the expiring patent.

REGULATION

Lifeway is subject to regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities regarding the distribution and sale of food products. Although Lifeway believes that it currently has all material government permits, licenses, qualifications and approvals for its operations, there can be no assurance that Lifeway will be able to maintain its existing licenses and permits or to obtain any future licenses, permits, qualifications or approvals which may be required for the operation of Lifeway’s business.

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Lifeway believes that it is currently in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and that the cost of such compliance was not material to the financial position of Lifeway.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Lifeway continues its program of new product development, centered around the nutritional and “low calorie” features of its proprietary kefir formulas.

Lifeway conducts primarily all of its research internally, but at times will employ the services of an outside testing facility. During 2011 and 2012, the amount Lifeway expended for research and new product development was not material to the financial position of Lifeway and no amount was customer supported.

EMPLOYEES

Lifeway currently employs approximately 330 employees, all of whom are full-time employees. Substantially all of these employees are engaged in the manufacturing of the Company’s products. None of Lifeway’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company only has distributor relationships with third party distributors. No distributors are considered to be employees. Company-owned vehicles are used by Company employees for local same day deliveries only and revenue is recognized on the date of delivery to the end retail customers. Drivers of those vehicles are employees of the Company and all payroll, withholdings, and income taxes are accounted for in the same manner.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

On May 16, 1988, Lifeway purchased an approximately 26,000 square foot parcel of real property, including an approximately 8,500 square foot one-story brick building in good condition, located at 7625 N. Austin Avenue, Skokie, Illinois. Lifeway uses this facility for manufacturing and storage and has no plans to improve or renovate this property. Lifeway is the only occupant of this property and presently holds fee simple title subject to a mortgage which secures the property as collateral for certain loans to Lifeway from The Private Bank & Trust as discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation (the “Loans”). The Loans are secured by all of the assets of Lifeway, including a first mortgage on Lifeway’s real property located in Skokie, Illinois, Niles, Illinois and Morton Grove, Illinois. A portion of the proceeds of the Loans was used to pay off previously existing mortgage loans. The value of this property may be subject to real estate market forces that typically affect industrial real estate in the area immediately surrounding the property.

On October 16, 1996, Lifeway purchased a 110,000 square foot commercially-zoned parcel of real property, including an approximately 50,000 square foot one-story brick building in good condition, located at 6431 Oakton Avenue, Morton Grove, Illinois. This property is used as Lifeway’s corporate headquarters and main manufacturing facility. This property has been improved every year since the time of purchase by the addition of custom-built refrigerated storage space and the addition of various machinery and equipment used to manufacture, package and store Lifeway’s products. Lifeway is the only occupant of this property and presently holds fee simple title subject to a mortgage which secures the property as collateral for the Loans discussed above. The value of this property may be subject to real estate market forces that typically affect industrial real estate in the area immediately surrounding the property.

In June 2005, the Company purchased a 100,000 square foot distribution and warehousing facility that is equipped with 40,000 square feet of refrigeration. The facility, located at 6101 Gross Point Road in Niles, Illinois, approximately 50,000 square foot building, less than a mile away. The additional space at the Company’s main plant is being used to expand production capacity for the Company’s kefir and other probiotic products. Lifeway is the only occupant of this property and presently holds fee simple title subject to a mortgage which secures the property as collateral for the Loans discussed above. The value of this property may be subject to real estate market forces that typically affect industrial real estate in the area immediately surrounding the property.

Included in the purchase of Pride of Main Street Dairy on August 3, 2006, Lifeway acquired an approximately 35,000 square foot commercially-zoned parcel of real estate located at 214 Main Street S. Sauk Centre, Minnesota, including a 16,000 square foot two-story brick building used for production, and a 5,600 square foot storage facility. This property is used as the main headquarters and main production facility for Pride of Main Street Dairy. The building was built in the 1920’s with an addition in 1990. The facility is being used to produce all of the Pride of Main Street Dairy products, and approximately 70% of the Helios Nutrition Organic Kefir, with the remaining 30% being produced in Lifeway’s main production facility in Morton Grove, Illinois. Lifeway is the only occupant of this property and presently holds fee simple title subject to negative mortgage pledge as part of the collateral package for the Loans discussed above. The value of this property may be subject to real estate market forces that typically affect industrial real estate in the area immediately surrounding the property.

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On February 6, 2009, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Fresh Made, Inc., Lifeway also acquired 1.135 acres of land in Philadelphia. This facility is used to store raw materials and finished goods.  Lifeway is the only occupant of this property and presently holds fee simple title subject to a negative mortgage pledge as part of the collateral package for the Loans discussed above. The value of this property may be subject to real estate market forces that typically affect industrial real estate in the area immediately surrounding the property.

For financial statement and tax purposes, Lifeway depreciates its buildings and improvements on a straight line basis over 31 and 39 years.

Management believes that Lifeway has adequate insurance coverage for all it properties.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Lifeway is not party to any material pending legal proceedings. Lifeway is from time to time engaged in litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business none of which presently is expected to have a material adverse effect on its business results or operations.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

MARKET INFORMATION

Lifeway’s Common Stock, no par value, the only class of common equity of Lifeway, is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “LWAY.” Trading commenced on March 29, 1988.

The high and low sales prices for Lifeway’s Common Stock for the quarterly periods within the two most recent fiscal years, as reported by The Nasdaq Global Market, is set forth in the following table:

	Low Bid	High Bid
First Qtr. 2011	$  8.42	$10.48
Second Qtr. 2011	$  9.03	$11.24
Third Qtr. 2011	$  9.45	$11.90
Fourth Qtr. 2011	$  8.80	$11.20
First Qtr. 2012	$  8.81	$  9.91
Second Qtr. 2012	$  8.03	$10.40
Third Qtr. 2012	$  9.10	$11.10
Fourth Qtr. 2012	$  7.90	$  9.88

As of March 9, 2013, there were approximately 90 holders of record of Lifeway’s Common Stock. The Company has no information regarding beneficial owners whose shares are held in street name.

DIVIDENDS

Lifeway declared a cash dividend of $0.07 per share during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and no dividends in the year ended December 31, 2011.  We intend to pay regular annual distributions to our common shareholders, the amount of which may change from time to time.  Future distributions will be declared and paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and will depend upon cash generated by operating activities, our financial condition, capital requirements, and such other factors as our Board of Directors deem relevant.

SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

None.

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PURCHASES OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES

Period	(a) Total Numbers of Shares (or Units) Purchased	(b) Average Price Paid per    Share (or Unit)	(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1 to October 31, 2012	0	$0	0	159,200
November 1 to November 30, 2012	11,000	$8.45	11,000	148,200
December 1 to December 31, 2012	2,000	$8.22	2,000	146,200
Total	13,000	$8.34	13,000	146,200

* On January 20, 2011, the Company approved a share repurchase program for up to 250,000 shares with a plan expiration date of one year from the date of the first purchase. On February 6, 2012, the Company approved a new share repurchase program for up to 200,000 shares with a plan expiration date of one year from the date of the first purchase. Lifeway repurchased 63,300 shares of the Company’s securities in 2012 pursuant to these programs at a total cost of $580,708. As of the date of this filing these plans were both expired. A new share repurchase program has not been approved for 2013.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

See Part III, Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Comparison of Quarter Ended December 31, 2012 to Quarter Ended December 31, 2011

The following analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report and the financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis contained in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012, and September 30, 2012.

On March 29, 2013, management concluded that the consolidated statements of income for the year to date periods of March 31, 2012 and 2011, June 30, 2012 and 2011, and September 30, 2012 and 2011, should be restated.  This restatement is a result of changing classification of various expenses from operating activities to cost of goods sold.  This change did not cause any changes in net income for any of the periods presented.  See Note 2 and Note 14 in the financial statements for further information.

Results of Operations

Total consolidated gross sales increased by $4,137,824 (approximately 22%) to $22,877,021 during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 from $18,739,197 during the same three-month period in 2011. This increase is primarily attributable to increased sales and awareness of the Company’s flagship line, Kefir, as well as ProBugs®Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir™.

Total consolidated net sales increased by $4,013,970 (approximately 24%) to $20,780,954 during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 from $16,766,984 during the same three-month period in 2011. Net sales are recorded as gross sales less promotional activities such as slotting fees paid, couponing, spoilage and promotional allowances as well as early payment terms given to customers. The total allowance for promotions and discounts during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 was $2,096,067 or 10% of gross sales, compared to the total allowance for promotions and discounts during the three-month period ended December 31, 2011 of $1,972,213 or 10.5% of gross sales.  

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales, excluding depreciation expense, were approximately 65% during the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to approximately 76% during the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable a lower costs of transportation and other petroleum-based production supplies, and by the decreased cost of conventional and organic milk, the Company’s largest raw material.  The total cost of milk was approximately 5% lower during the fourth quarter 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011.

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Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were approximately 24% during the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to approximately 25% during the same period in 2011.   This was primarily attributable to an increase in selling expenses, which increased by $636,234 (approximately 25%) to $3,205,897 during the fourth quarter of 2012, from $2,569,663 during the same period in 2011.

The company reported income from operations of $1,768,219 during the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of $2,225,269 from a loss of $457,050 during the same period in 2011.

Provision for income tax was $721,860, or a 40% effective rate for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to a benefit of $137,528 during the same period in 2011.

Total net income was $1,073,502 or $0.07 per diluted share for the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 compared to a net loss of $365,933 or a loss of $0.02 per diluted share in the same period in 2011.

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2012 to Year Ended December 31, 2011

The consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011 has been restated due to reclassification of approximately $1.285 million of various expenses from operating activities to cost of goods sold.  There was no change in net income from what was previously presented.  See Note 2 and Note 14 in the financial statements for further information.

Total consolidated gross sales increased by $12,631,008 (approximately 16%) to $89,754,007 during the twelve- month period ended December 31, 2012 from $77,122,999 during the same twelve-month period in 2011.  This increase is primarily attributable to increased sales and awareness of the Company’s flagship line, Kefir, as well as ProBugs® Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir™.

Total consolidated net sales increased by $11,380,856 (approximately 16%) to $81,351,265 during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 from $69,970,409 during the same twelve-month period in 2011.  Net sales are recorded as gross sales less promotional activities such as slotting fees paid, couponing, spoilage and promotional allowances as well as early payment terms given to customers.

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales, excluding depreciation expense, were approximately 64% during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012, compared to approximately 67% during the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to the cost of conventional and organic milk, the Company’s largest raw material.  The total cost of milk was approximately 5% lower during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011.

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were approximately 23% during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 compared to approximately 23% during the same period in 2011.  Selling expenses increased by $1,391,805 (approximately 14%) to $11,506,707 during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011.

Total operating income increased by $3,768,216 (approximately 74%) to $8,844,707 during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012, from $5,076,491 during the same period in 2011.

Provision for income taxes was $3,205,076 or a 36% effective tax rate, for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 compared with $1,977,837 or a 41% effective tax rate, during the same period in 2011.  The decline in the effective tax rate is primarily the result of changes in permanent differences such as the manufacturers' deductions, and changes in prior year estimates reflected in the current period. Income taxes are discussed in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Total net income was $5,619,798  or $0.34 per share for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 compared to $2,855,421 or $0.17 per share in the same period in 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash

Net cash provided by operating activities was $6,627,684 during the twelve-months ended December 31, 2012 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $4,042,021 the same period in 2011.  This increase is primarily attributable to the increase in net income of $2,764,377 in 2012.

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Net cash used in investing activities was $1,555,914 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $2,112,657 in the same period in 2011. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in purchases of investments of 981,668 compared to 2011.

The Company had a net increase of cash and cash equivalents of $1,171,076 during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2012 compared to a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2,114,789 during the same period in 2011.  The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,286,226 as of December 31, 2012 compared to cash and cash equivalents of $1,115,150 as of December 31, 2011.

Assets and Liabilities

Total assets were $53,506,626 as of December 31, 2012, which is an increase of $2,033,318 when compared to December 31, 2011. This is primarily due to cash and cash equivalents of $2,286,226 as of December 31, 2012, which is an increase of of $1,171,076, when compared to December 31, 2011.

Total current liabilities were $6,209,694 as of December 31, 2012, which is a decrease of $863,026 when compared to December 31, 2011. This is primarily due to a $997,735 decrease in current maturities of notes payable.

Notes payable decreased by $583,891 as of December 31, 2012, when compared to December 31, 2011.  The balance of the notes payable as of December 31, 2012 was $4,955,945.

Total stockholder’s equity was $39,312,469 as of December 31, 2012, which is an increase of $3,955,312  when compared to December 31, 2011.  This is primarily due the increase in retained earnings of $4,473,481 when compared to December 31, 2011.

We previously held significant portions of our assets in investment securities. All of our marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale on our balance sheet.  All of these securities are stated thereon at market value as of the end of the applicable period. Gains and losses on the portfolio are determined by the specific identification method.

We anticipate being able to fund the Company’s foreseeable liquidity requirements internally. We continue to explore potential acquisition opportunities in our industry in order to boost sales while leveraging our distribution system to consolidate and lower costs.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have never entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have never established any special purpose entities. We have not guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities or entered into any options on non-financial assets.

Critical Accounting Policies

Lifeway’s analysis and discussion of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. US GAAP provides the framework from which to make these estimates, assumptions and disclosures. Lifeway chooses accounting policies within US GAAP that management believes are appropriate to accurately and fairly report Lifeway’s operating results and financial position in a consistent manner. Management regularly assesses these policies in light of current and forecasted economic conditions and has discussed the development and selection of critical accounting policies with its audit committee of the Board of Directors. For further information concerning accounting policies, refer to Note 2 — Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The annotated consolidated financial statements of the Company that constitute Item 8 of this report commence on the pages that follow this page.

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2012 and 2011

- 17 -

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders of

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC

Chicago, IL

April 1, 2013

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

December 31, 2012 and 2011

	December 31,
	2012			2011
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,286,226		$	1,115,150
Investments		1,869,888			1,695,044
Certificates of deposits in financial institutions		450,000			300,000
Inventories		5,939,186			4,954,475
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts and discounts		8,723,737			7,950,276
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		97,138			79,630
Other receivables		8,825			224,204
Deferred income taxes		234,687			338,690
Refundable income taxes		84,828			41,316
Total current assets	$	19,694,515			16,698,785
Property and equipment, net		14,986,776			15,198,822
Intangible assets
Goodwill and other non-amortizable brand assets		14,068,091			14,068,091
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of
$3,842,756 and 3,087,940 at December 31, 2012 and 2011,
respectively		4,463,242			5,218,060
Total intangible assets		18,531,333			19,286,151
Other Assets
Long-term accounts receivable net of current portion		294,000			289,550
Total assets	$	53,506,624		$	51,473,308
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Checks written in excess of bank balances	$	0		$	592,040
Current maturities of notes payable		542,981			1,540,716
Accounts payable		4,256,725			4,386,239
Accrued expenses		1,155,677			553,725
Accrued income taxes		254,311			0
Total current liabilities		6,209,694			7,072,720
Notes payable		4,955,945			5,539,836
Deferred income taxes		3,028,518			3,503,595
Total liabilities		14,194,157			16,116,151
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized;
17,273,776 shares issued; 16,346,017 shares outstanding at
December 31, 2012; 17,273,776 shares issued; 16,409,317 shares
outstanding at December 31, 2011		6,509,267			6,509,267
Paid-in-capital		2,032,516			2,032,516
Treasury stock, at cost		( 8,187,682	)		( 7,606,974	)
Retained earnings		38,904,777			34,431,296
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		53,591			( 8,948	)
Total stockholders' equity		39,312,469			35,357,157
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	53,506,626		$	51,473,308

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

	Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012						2011
Sales	$	89,754,007					$	77,122,999
Less: discounts and allowances		(8,402,742	)					( 7,152,590	)
Net sales		81,351,265			81,351,265			69,970,409			69,970,409
Cost of goods sold					52,295,464						47,151,776
Depreciation expense					1,629,594						1,552,961
Total cost of goods sold					53,925,058						48,704,737
Gross profit					27,426,207						21,265,672
Selling expenses					11,506,707						10,114,902
General and administrative					6,319,972						5,290,446
Amortization expense					754,817						783,833
Total operating expenses					18,581,496						16,189,181
Income from operations					8,844,711						5,076,491
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income					85,383						70,611
Rental income					12,285						7,150
Interest expense					(177,622	)					(247,342	)
Impairment of Investment					0						(36,032	)
Gain (loss) on sale of investments, net					71,286						(29,256	)
Other Expense					(11,169	)					(8,364	)
Total other income (expense)					(19,837	)					(243,233	)
Income before provision for
income taxes					8,824,874						4,833,258
Provision for income taxes					3,205,076						1,977,837
Net income				$	5,619,798					$	2,855,421
Basic and diluted earnings
per common share					.34						0.17
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding					16,373,224						16,442,948
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income					5,619,798					$	2,855,421
Other comprehensive income
(loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains on
investments (net of tax)					102,816						17,616
Less reclassification adjustment for (gains)
losses included in
net income (net of taxes)					( 40,277	)					16,530
Comprehensive income				$	5,682,337					$	2,889,567

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

	Common Stock, No Par Value 20,000,000 Shares					# of Shares												Accumulated Other
	Authorized					of												Comprehensive
	# of Shares		# of Shares			Treasury		Common		Paid In		Treasury			Retained			Income (Loss),
	Issued		Outstanding			Stock		Stock		Capital		Stock			Earnings			Net of Tax			Total
Balances at December 31, 2010		17,273,776		16,536,657			737,119	$	6,509,267	$	2,032,516	$	(6,425,546	)	$	31,575,875		$	(43,094	)	$	33,649,018
Redemption of stock		0		(127,340	)		127,340		0		0		(1,181,428	)		0			0			(1,181,428	)
Issuance of treasury stock for compensation		0		0			0		0		0		0			0			0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes		0		0			0		0		0		0			0			34,146			34,146
Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2011		0		0			0		0		0		0			2,855,421			0			2,855,421
Balances at December 31, 2011		17,273,776		16,409,317			864,459	$	6,509,267	$	2,032,516	$	(7,606,974	)	$	34,431,296		$	(8,948	)	$	35,357,157
Redemption of stock		0		(63,300	)		63,300		0		0		(580,708	)		0			0			(580,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes		0		0			0		0		0		0			0			62,539			62,539
Net income for the year ended
December 31, 2012		0		0			0		0		0		0			5,619,798			0			5,619,798
Dividends ($.07) per share		0		0			0		0		0		0			(1,146,317	)		0			(1,146,317	)
Balances at December 31, 2012		17,273,776		16,346,017			927,759	$	6,509,267	$	2,032,516	$	(8,187,682	)	$	38,904,777		$	53,591		$	39,312,469

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

	December 31,
	2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	5,619,798		$	2,855,421
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,384,411			2,336,794
Loss (gain) on sale of investments, net		(71,286	)		29,256
Loss on disposition of equipment		11,169			20,135
Impairment of Investment		0			36,032
Deferred income taxes		(434,896	)		68,217
Bad Debt Expense		435,344			48,240
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable		(1,213,253	)		(1,494,790	)
Other receivables		215,379			(119,524	)
Inventories		(984,711	)		(969,101	)
Refundable income taxes		(43,512	)		865,432
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(17,508	)		78,685
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable		(129,514	)		202,758
Accrued expenses		601,952			84,466
Income taxes payable		254,311			0
Net cash provided by operating activities		6,627,684			4,042,021
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		(1,452,672	)		(2,434,340	)
Proceeds from sale of investments		1,475,730			1,810,816
Investments in certificates of deposits		(150,255	)		(50,000	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,428,717	)		(1,439,133	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,555,914	)		(2,112,657	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds of note payable		250,000			2,000,000
Checks written in excess of bank balances		(592,040	)		(749,170	)
Purchases of treasury stock		(580,708	)		(1,181,428	)
Dividends paid		(1,146,317	)		—
Repayment of notes payable		(1,831,626	)		(4,113,555	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(3,900,691	)		(4,044,153	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		1,171,079			(2,114,789	)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period		1,115,150			3,229,939
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	2,286,226		$	1,115,150

- 22 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 1 – NATURE OF BUSINESS

Lifeway Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “Lifeway”) commenced operations in February 1986 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois on May 19, 1986. The Company’s principal business activity is the production of dairy products. Specifically, the Company produces Kefir, a drinkable product which is similar to but distinct from yogurt, in several flavors sold under the name “Lifeway’s Kefir;” a plain farmer’s cheese sold under the name “Lifeway’s Farmer’s Cheese;” a fruit sugar-flavored product similar in consistency to cream cheese sold under the name of “Sweet Kiss;” and a dairy beverage, similar to Kefir, with increased protein and calcium, sold under the name “Basics Plus.” The Company also produces a vegetable-based seasoning under the name “Golden Zesta.” The Company currently distributes its products throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area and various cities on the East Coast through local food stores. In addition, products are sold throughout the United States and Ontario, Canada by distributors. The Company also distributes some of its products to Eastern Europe.

Note 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements follows:

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Helios Nutrition, Ltd., Pride of Main Street, L.L.C., Starfruit, L.L.C., Fresh Made, Inc. and Starfruit Franchisor, L.L.C. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made in preparing the consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation of investment securities, the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets, and deferred taxes.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of Company produced dairy products are recorded at the time of shipment and the following four criteria have been met: (i) The product has been shipped and the Company has no significant remaining obligations; (ii) Persuasive evidence of an agreement exists; (iii) The price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and (iv) Collection is probable. In addition, shipping costs invoiced to the customers are included in net sales and the related cost in cost of sales. Discounts and allowances are reported as a reduction of gross sales unless the allowance is attributable to an identifiable benefit separable from the purchase of the product, the value of which can be reasonably estimated, which would be charged to the appropriate expense account.

Customer Concentration

Sales are predominately to companies in the retail food industry, located within the United States of America. Two major customers accounted for approximately 31% percent and 29% percent of gross sales for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These customers accounted for approximately 30% percent and 20% percent of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

Cash and cash equivalents

All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

The Company maintains cash deposits at several institutions located in the greater Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.

Investments

All investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Amortization, accretion, interest and dividends, realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are recorded in other income. All of the Company's securities are subject to a periodic impairment evaluation. This evaluation depends on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors that we consider in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include: the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis; the financial condition of the investee; and the intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for possible recovery in the market value of the investment.

Accounts receivable

Credit terms are extended to customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally requires no collateral. Balances expected to be paid beyond one year are classified as long-term.

Accounts receivable are recorded at invoice amounts, and reduced to their estimated net realizable value by recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts. The Company’s estimate of the allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts are based upon historical experience, its evaluation of the current status and contract terms of specific receivables, and unusual circumstances, if any. Accounts are considered past due if payment is not made on a timely basis in accordance with the Company’s credit terms. Accounts considered uncollectible are charged against the allowance.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at depreciated cost or fair value where depreciated cost is not recoverable. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.

Property and equipment is being depreciated over the following useful lives:

Category	Years
Buildings and improvements	31 and 39
Machinery and equipment	5 – 12
Office equipment	5 – 7
Vehicles	5

- 24 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

Intangible assets acquired in business combinations

The Company accounts for intangible assets at historical cost. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded under the purchase method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and other identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Brand assets represent the fair value of brands acquired. Brand assets have an indefinite life and therefore are not amortized, rather are reviewed periodically for impairment. The Company amortizes other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, as disclosed in the table below.

The Company reviews intangible assets and their related useful lives at least once per year to determine if any adverse conditions exist that would indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The Company conducts more frequent impairment assessments if certain conditions exist, including: a change in the competitive landscape, any internal decisions to pursue new or different strategies, a loss of a significant customer, or a significant change in the market place including changes in the prices paid for the Company’s products or changes in the size of the market for the Company’s products.

If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.

Intangible assets are being amortized over the following useful lives:

Category	Years
Recipes	4
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles	7-10
Lease agreement	7
Trade names	15
Formula	10
Customer relationships	12

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are the result of temporary differences that arise from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.

The principal sources of temporary differences are different depreciation and amortization methods for financial statement and tax purposes, unrealized gains or losses related to investments, capitalization of indirect costs for tax purposes, purchase price adjustments, and the recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts for financial statement purposes.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The only periods subject to examination for the Company’s federal returns are the 2010 and 2011 tax years. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded.

- 25 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

Treasury stock

Treasury stock is recorded using the cost method.

Advertising and promotional costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 total advertising expenses were $2,679,798 and $3,156,096, respectively.

Earnings per common share

Earnings per common share were computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted and basic earnings per share were the same, as the effect of dilutive securities options outstanding was not significant.

Correction of Prior Year Amounts

Management has revised the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2011 to correct an immaterial error. During 2011, amounts related to production of inventory were not presented as part of cost of goods sold at December 31, 2011 and were erroneously included as general and administrative operating expenses in our previously issued financial statements. This revision resulted in a $1.285 million increase in cost of goods sold and a corresponding decrease in the general and administrative operating expenses.

Additionally, Management has restated the unaudited statements of income and comprehensive income for interim periods during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 for similar errors in our presentation of cost of goods sold and general and administrative operating expenses. (see Note 14).

There was no impact on previously reported net income, consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

Note 3 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets, and the related accumulated amortization, consist of the following:

	December 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Cost		Accumulated Amortization
Recipes	$	43,600	$	43,600	$	43,600	$	43,600
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles		4,504,200		2,025,736		4,504,200		1,546,671
Lease acquisition		87,200		87,200		87,200		87,200
Customer relationship		985,000		526,701		985,000		444,618
Trade names		2,248,000		878,469		2,248,000		728,601
Formula		438,000		281,050		438,000		237,250
	$	8,306,000	$	3,842,756	$	8,306,000	$	3,087,940

Amortization expense is expected to be approximately the following for the 12 months ending December 31:

2013	$	711,366
2014		711,366
2015		711,367
2016		693,117
2017		667,566
Thereafter		968,460
	$	4,463,242

Amortization expense during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $754,817 and $783,833, respectively.

- 26 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 4 – INVESTMENTS

The cost and fair value of investments classified as available for sale are as follows:

December 31, 2012	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Equities	$	639,974	$	90,875	$	( 5,190	)	$	725,659
Corporate Bonds		1,135,064		16,212		( 7,047	)		1,144,229
Total	$	1,775,038	$	107,087	$	( 12,237	)	$	1,869,888

December 31, 2011	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Equities	$	682,569	$	55,244	$	( 23,211	)	$	714,602
Mutual Funds		64,563		3,275		( 713	)		67,125
Preferred Securities		64,452		0		( 17,702	)		46,750
Corporate Bonds		899,298		1,019		( 33,750	)		866,567
Total	$	1,710,882	$	59,538	$	( 75,376	)	$	1,695,044

Proceeds from the sale of investments were $1,475,730 and $1,810,816 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Gross gains of $88,713 and $33,278 and gross losses of $17,427 and $62,534 were realized on these sales during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company's investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
December 31, 2012	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Equities	$	63,620	$	( 3,745	)	$	21,910	$	( 1,445	)	$	85,530	$	( 5,190	)
Corporate Bonds		301,229		( 2,721	)		193,930		( 4,326	)		495,159		( 7,047	)
	$	364,849	$	( 6,466	)	$	215,840	$	( 5,771	)	$	580,689	$	( 12,237	)

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
December 31, 2011	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Equities	$	176,966	$	( 23,211	)	$	0	$	0		$	176,966	$	( 23,211	)
Mutual Funds		0		0			10,585		( 713	)		10,585		( 713	)
Preferred Securities		0		0			46,750		( 17,702	)		46,750		( 17,702	)
Corporate Bonds		626,292		( 24,000	)		90,250		( 9,750	)		716,542		( 33,750	)
	$	803,258	$	( 47,211	)	$	147,585	$	( 28,165	)	$	950,843	$	( 75,376	)

- 27 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 4 – INVESTMENTS - Continued

Equities, Mutual Funds, Preferred Securities, and Corporate Bonds -The Company's investments in equity securities, mutual funds, preferred securities, and corporate bonds consist of investments in common stock, preferred stock and debt securities of companies in various industries. As of December 31, 2012, there were two equity securities, one option on equity securities, and four corporate bond securities that had unrealized losses. The Company evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuer in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment. Based on that evaluation and the Company's ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, the Company did not consider any material investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2012.

Note 5 – INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Finished goods	$	2,462,548	$	1,976,050
Production supplies		2,599,668		2,042,611
Raw materials		876,970		935,814
Total inventories	$	5,939,186	$	4,954,475

Note 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Land	$	1,178,160	$	1,178,160
Buildings and improvements		11,904,919		11,633,077
Machinery and equipment		15,185,204		14,697,024
Vehicles		1,346,078		1,334,628
Office equipment		411,773		383,099
Construction in process		612,468		17,410
		30,638,602		29,243,398
Less accumulated depreciation		15,651,826		14,044,576
Total property and equipment	$	14,986,776	$	15,198,822

Depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $1,629,594 and $1,552,961, respectively.

Note 7 – ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes	$	356,280	$	209,395
Accrued property tax		302,573		323,885
Other		496,824		20,445
	$	1,155,677	$	553,725

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 8 – NOTES PAYABLE

Notes payable consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Note payable to Private Bank in monthly installments of $42,222, plus variable interest rate, currently at 2.709%, with a balloon payment for the remaining balance due February 6, 2014. Collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.	$	5,365,556	$	5,914,445
Line of credit with Private Bank at variable interest rate, currently at 3.25%. The agreement has been extended with terms allowing borrowings up to $2.0 million, maturing on May 31, 2013. Collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.		0		1,000,000
Notes payable to Ford Credit Corp. payable in monthly installments of $1,778.23 at 5.99%, due July 2015, secured by transportation equipment.		50,871		68,509
Note payable to Fletcher Jones of Chicago, Ltd LLC in monthly installments of $1,768.57 at 6.653%, due May 24, 2017, secured by transportation equipment.		82,499		97,598
Total notes payable		5,498,926		7,080,552
Less current maturities		542,981		1,540,716
Total long-term portion	$	4,955,945	$	5,539,836

In accordance with the Private Bank agreements referenced above, the Company is subject to minimum fixed charged ratio and tangible net worth thresholds.

Maturities of notes payables are as follows:

For the Period Ended December 31,
2013	$	542,981
2014		4,896,199
2015		30,787
2016		19,875
2017		9,084
Total	$	5,498,926

- 29 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases four stores for its Starfruit subsidiary. Total expense for these leases was approximately $379,348 and $240,723 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company is also responsible for additional rent equal to real estate taxes and other operating expenses. Future annual minimum base rental payments for the leases as of December 31, 2012 are approximately as follows:

2013	$	147,318
2014		69,106
2015		45,461
2016		46,825
2017		48,229
Thereafter		49,676
Total	$	406,615

Note 10 – PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011
Current:
Federal	$	2,757,332		$	1,059,336
State and local		882,640			850,284
Total current		3,639,972			1,909,620
Deferred		( 434,896	)		68,217
Provision for income taxes	$	3,205,076		$	1,977,837

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes and the income tax computed at the statutory rate is as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012						2011
	Amount			Percentage			Amount			Percentage
Federal income tax expense computed at the statutory rate	$	3,000,457			34.0	%	$	1,643,308			34.0	%
State and local tax expense, net		838,363			9.5	%		561,187			11.6	%
U.S. domestic manufacturers’ deduction & other permanent differences		( 427,525	)		(4.9	)%		(122,837	)		(2.5	)%
Change in tax estimate		( 206,219	)		(2.2	)%		(103,821	)		(2.2	)%
Provision for income taxes	$	3,205,076			36.4	%	$	1,977,837			40.9	%

- 30 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 10 – PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES - Continued

Amounts for deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	December 31,
	2012			2011
Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities) arising from: Temporary differences -
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
from purchase accounting adjustments	$	( 3,164,716	)	$	( 3,671,285	)
Capital loss carry-forwards		136,198			167,690
Total non-current net deferred tax liabilities		( 3,028,518	)		( 3,503,595	)
Current deferred tax assets arising from:
Unrealized losses (gain) on investments		( 41,260	)		6,890
Impairment of investments		0			15,673
Inventory		265,072			220,408
Allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts		10,875			4,350
Capital loss carry-back		0			91,369
Total current deferred tax assets		234,687			338,690
Net deferred tax liability	$	( 2,793,831	)	$	( 3,164,905	)

Note 11 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Cash paid for interest and income taxes are as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012		2011
Interest	$	191,277	$	232,429
Income taxes	$	3,413,687	$	1,169,334

Note 12 – STOCK AWARD AND STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company has a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a Consulting Service Compensation Plan covering up to 1,200,000 of the Company’s common stock shares. Pursuant to such Plan, the Company may issue common stock or options to purchase common stock to certain consultants, service providers, and employees of the Company. The option price, number of shares, grant date, and vesting terms are determined at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no stock options outstanding or exercisable. There were approximately 940,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan at December 31, 2012.

- 31 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 13 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described as follows:

Level 1. Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2. Inputs to the valuation methodology include the following:

●   Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

●   Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

●   Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;

●   Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3. Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset or liability's fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The majority of the Company’s short-term investments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s valuation of its Level 1 investments, which include mutual funds, is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities. The Company’s valuation of its Level 2 investments, which include certificates of deposits, is based on other observable inputs, specifically a valuation model which utilized vendor pricing for similar securities.

The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Company believes the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

- 32 -

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 13 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – Continued

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets at fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:

	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash	$	2,286,226	$	0	$	0	$	2,286,226
Certificate of Deposits		0		439,982		0		439,982
Stocks		725,670		0		0		725,670
Corporate Bonds		0		1,144,229		0		1,144,229
Notes Payable		0		5,498,926		0		5,498,926

	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash	$	1,115,150	$	0	$	0	$	1,115,150
Mutual Funds:
Equity Income		64,075		0		0		64,075
Bonds		3,050		0		0		3,050
Certificate of Deposits		0		277,363		0		277,363
Stocks		714,602		0		0		714,602
Preferred Stock		46,750		0		0		46,750
Corporate Bonds		0		866,566		0		866,566
Notes Payable		0		7,080,552		0		7,080,552

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities also include accounts receivable, other receivables and, accounts payable for which carrying value approximates fair value. All such assets are valued using level 2 inputs.

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

Note 14 – RESTATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Management concluded that the consolidated statements of income for the year-to-date periods ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, including comparatively presented periods, that were previously included in our Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q filed in 2012 should be restated as a result of erroneous presentation of production activity within general and administrative operating expenses.

These restatements result in increases in cost of goods sold and corresponding decreases in general and administrative operating expenses. These restatements had no impact on our previously reported net income, condensed consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

As detailed in the tables below, these restatements impact the following consolidated statement of income line items:

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2012							(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2012							(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated
Income Statement
Net Sales	$	19,397,197	$	—		$	19,397,197	$	39,950,578	$	—		$	39,950,578	$	60,570,311	$	—		$	60,570,311
COGS	$	12,637,386	$	668,381		$	13,305,767	$	25,153,336	$	1,088,149		$	26,241,485	$	38,299,212	$	1,692,406		$	39,991,618
Gross Profit	$	6,759,811	$	(668,381	)	$	6,091,430	$	14,797,242	$	(1,088,149	)	$	13,709,093	$	22,271,099	$	(1,692,406	)	$	20,578,693
Operating Expenses	$	4,887,281	$	(668,381	)	$	4,218,900	$	9,797,959	$	(1,088,149	)	$	8,709,810	$	15,194,607	$	(1,692,406	)	$	13,502,201
Income from Operations	$	1,872,530	$	—		$	1,872,530	$	4,999,283	$	—		$	4,999,283	$	7,076,492	$	—		$	7,076,492

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2011							(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2011							(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated
Income Statement
Net Sales	$	17,303,903	$	—		$	17,303,903	$	35,501,821	$	—		$	35,501,821	$	53,203,425	$	—		$	53,203,425
COGS	$	9,722,230	$	532,856		$	10,255,086	$	22,478,463	$	990,620		$	23,469,083	$	34,047,699	$	1,581,339		$	35,629,038
Gross Profit	$	7,581,673	$	(532,856	)	$	7,048,817	$	13,023,358	$	(990,620	)	$	12,032,738	$	19,155,726	$	(1,581,339	)	$	17,574,387
Operating Expenses	$	4,316,051	$	(532,856	)	$	3,783,195	$	9,057,522	$	(990,620	)	$	8,066,902	$	13,622,185	$	(1,581,339	)	$	12,040,846
Income from Operations	$	3,265,622	$	—		$	3,265,622	$	3,965,836	$	—		$	3,965,836	$	5,533,541	$	—		$	5,533,541

Note 15 – LITIGATION

The Company is named a party to lawsuits in the normal course of business.  In the opinion of management, the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Note 16 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2011 the FASB issued ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. FASB ASC Topic 250 amends the existing standards related to annual and interim goodwill impairment tests by allowing companies to consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely or not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before performing the two step impairment review process. It also amends the examples of events or circumstances that would be considered in a goodwill impairment evaluation. The amendment is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements or results of operations.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.” This pronouncement was issued to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2012. Management adopted this statement effective January 1, 2012.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure material information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, we recognized that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2012 in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the Exchange Act rules and forms due to the material weakness described below. As a result, we performed additional analysis and other post-closing procedures to ensure our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is identified in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, and effected by the Board of Directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

●    pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;

●    provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that our receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and

●    provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations which may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the level of compliance with related policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012.  In making the assessment, management used the framework in “Internal Control –Integrated Framework” promulgated by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, commonly referred to as the “COSO” criteria. Based on that assessment, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2012 because a material weakness existed in our internal control over financial reporting related to the classification of certain costs and expenses.  Specifically, the Company and its auditors determined during the audit of our financial statements that certain post-closing adjustments were required with respect to our classification of certain direct manufacturing costs from general and administrative to cost of goods sold, primarily consisting of utilities, wage related expenses and overhead.

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As a result, we performed additional analysis and other post-closing procedures to ensure our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.

Remediation of Material Weakness

In light of the material weakness described above, we are taking steps to remediate our material weakness.  Management enhanced the review process by improving real time general ledger monitoring and wage detail in the financial statement functionality of our accounting software, allowing for improved internal review of the source information which goes in to the completion of the financial statements.  More specifically, management has focused on improving specific coding of direct expenses as compared to general and administrative expenses.

Management is committed to continuous improvement of the Company’s internal control processes. Under the direction of the Audit Committee, management will continue to review and make changes it deems necessary to the overall design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, including implementing further improvements in policies and procedures and taking additional measures to address any control deficiencies.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

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PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

LUDMILA SMOLYANSKY, 62, was appointed as a Director by the Board to fill a vacancy created by an increase of the maximum number of Directors up to seven and unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Board in November 2002. For more than 20 years, Mrs. Smolyansky has been the operator of several independent delicatessen, gourmet food distributorship businesses and imported food distributorships. In 2002, prior to the commencement of her tenure as a Director, she was hired by the Company as its General Manager. Mrs. Smolyansky devotes as much time as necessary to the business of the Company and currently holds no other directorships in any other reporting company. Mrs. Smolyansky is the mother of Julie Smolyansky (the President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of the Company) and Edward P. Smolyansky (the Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Secretary of the Company). Mrs. Smolyansky brings many years of food industry experience to the Board.

JULIE SMOLYANSKY, 37, was appointed as a Director, and elected President, CEO, CFO and Treasurer of the Company by the Board of Directors to fill the vacancies in those positions created by the death of her father, Michael Smolyansky, in June 2002. She is a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Smolyansky spent six years as the Company’s Director of Sales and Marketing. She devotes as much time as necessary to the business of the Company and currently holds no other directorships in any other reporting company. Ms. Smolyansky is the daughter of Ludmila Smolyansky, the Chairperson of the Board. In 2004, Ms. Smolyansky resigned as CFO and Treasurer and Edward Smolyansky, Ms. Smolyansky’s brother, was appointed to such positions. Ms. Smolyansky brings historical and operational expertise and experience to the Board.

POL SIKAR, 64, has been a Director of the Company since its inception in February 1986. He is a graduate with a Master’s degree from the Odessa State Institute of Civil Engineering in Russia. For more than 13 years, he has been President and a major shareholder of Montrose Glass & Mirror Co., a company providing glass and mirror products to the wholesale and retail trade in the greater Chicago area. Mr. Sikar devotes as much time as necessary to the business of the Company. Mr. Sikar holds no other directorships in any other reporting company. Mr. Sikar has been a Director since inception and brings a histroical perspective to the Board.

RENZO BERNARDI, 60, has been a Director of the Company since 1994. Mr. Bernardi is the president and founder of Renzo & Sons, Inc., a Dairy and Food Service Company which has been in business since 1969 (formerly, Renzo-Milk Distribution Systems). He has over 30 years of experience in the dairy distribution industry. Mr. Bernardi is a graduate of Instituto Teonico E Commerciale of Macomer, Sardinia. Mr. Bernardi devotes as much time as necessary to the business of the Company. Mr. Bernardi holds no other directorships in any other reporting company. Mr. Bernardi brings deep industry experience to the Board.

GUSTAVO CARLOS VALLE, 48, has been a Director of the Company since June 19, 2009. He is an Argentine citizen and was appointed President and CEO of the Dannon Company, Inc. effective April 1, 2009. Mr. Valle joined Danone Argentina in 1996 as Vice President Finance where he became CEO of Danone Waters Argentina in 2002. Two years later, he was appointed CEO of Danone Brazil. Mr. Valle graduated in Economics from Buenos Aires University in Argentina. Mr. Valle holds no other directorships in any other reporting company. Mr. Valle has been designated by DS Waters, L.P. (as the related successor to The Dannon Company, Inc.) to be its representative to the Board in accordance with the terms of that certain Stockholder’s Agreement, as amended, between the Company and Dannon. Mr. Valle brings deep industry experience to the Board.

PAUL LEE, 38, was elected as a Director of the Company to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors created by the resignation of Eugene Katz in July 2012.  Mr. Lee joined Lightbank Inc. as a Partner in February 2011. Previously, Mr. Lee was Managing Director and Group Head for Digital Ventures at Playboy Enterprises, and was a founding member and Senior Vice President at the Peacock Equity Fund. Mr. Lee brings financial and strategic experience to the Company’s Board of Directors.

JASON SCHER, 38, was elected as a Director of the Company to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors in July 2012.  Mr. Scher is the Chief Operating Officer of Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Mr Scher previously served as principal in Khoury Construction and RP3 Development. His strong leadership has been instrumental in laying a foundation for an entrepreneurial growing business. Mr. Scher also brings financial and strategic experience to the Company's Board of Directors.

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EDWARD P. SMOLYANSKY, 33, was appointed as Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Lifeway in November 2004. He was also appointed Chief Operating Officer and Secretary in 2012.  He had served as the Controller of the Company from June 2002 until such time. He received his baccalaureate degree in finance from Loyola University of Chicago in December 2001. Edward P. Smolyansky is the brother of Company President and CEO Julie Smolyansky and the son of Lifeway’s Chairperson of the Board, Ludmila Smolyansky.

KEY EMPLOYEES.

VALERIY NIKOLENKO, 67, Vice President of Operations, has been VP of Operations for 16 years with Lifeway.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s Officers and Directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Based on the Company’s review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that none of its directors, executive officers or persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock failed to comply with Section 16(a) reporting requirements in fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, except for Ms. Julie Smolyansky who failed to timely file one Form 4 regarding six transactions, and each of Messrs. Paul Lee and Jason Scher, each of whom failed to timely file a Form 3.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Julie Smolyansky, the President, CEO and Director of Lifeway is the daughter of Ludmila Smolyansky, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Lifeway and the sister of Edward P. Smolyansky. Edward P. Smolyansky, the Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Lifeway is the son of Ludmila Smolyansky and the brother of Julie Smolyansky.

CODE OF ETHICS

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all Officers which is included in this report as an exhibit hereto. Any person may, without charge, request a copy of such Code of Ethics by contacting the Company at (847) 967-1010 or by email at info@lifeway.net.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board does not have any formal policy regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders; any recommendation would be considered on an individual basis. The Board believes this is appropriate due to the lack of such recommendations made in the past, and its ability to consider the establishment of such a policy in the event of an increase of such recommendations. Accordingly, there have been no material changes to the procedure by which any security holder may recommend nominees to the Board.

The Company’s Audit Committee consists of Mr. Sikar, Mr. Bernardi and Mr. Lee, each of whom has an understanding of finance and accounting and is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. Audit Committee members are appointed by the full Board. The functions of the Audit Committee are to review the Company’s internal controls, accounting policies and financial reporting practices; to review the financial statements, the arrangements for and scope of the independent audit, as well as the results of the audit engagement; to review the services and fees of the independent auditors, including pre-approval of non-audit services and the auditors’ independence; and to recommend to the Board of Directors for its approval and for ratification by the shareholders the engagement of the independent auditors to serve the following year in examining the accounts of the Company. Board of Directors has examined the qualifications of Mr. Lee and determined Mr. Lee to be an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

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ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

Summary Compensation Table as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012

Name	Year	Salary	Bonus	All other Comp.	Total
Julie Smolyansky, CEO and President(1)	2012	$890,903	$125,000	$14,280	$1,030,183
	2011	$585,874	$  75,000	$27,126	$   688,000
				(5)
Edward P. Smolyansky,	2012	$928,403	$150,000	$31,280	$1,109,683
CFO, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer, Chief	2011	$571,318	$100,000	$29,832	$   701,150
Operating Officer and Secretary (2)				(6)
Valeriy Nikolenko, Vice President of Operations	2012	$153,800	$  60,000	$29,210	$   243,010
and Secretary (4)(8)	2011	$  91,800	$  40,000	$18,500	$   150,300
				(7)

NOTES TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

(1)   The Board appointed Julie Smolyansky as the CEO, CFO, President and Treasurer of the Company on June 10, 2002. From September 21, 1998 until such appointments, she had been Director of Sales and Marketing of the Company. Since November 2004, Ms. Smolyansky has served solely as CEO and President.

(2)   The Board appointed Edward Smolyansky as the CFO, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Company in November 2004.

(3)   The Company approves, on an annual basis, the payment to Ludmila Smolyansky of salary and bonus as other compensation for continuing advisory services to the Company and in light of her extensive experience. Ludmila Smolyansky devotes as much time as necessary to the business of the Company.

(4)   The Board appointed Valeriy Nikolenko as the Vice President of Operations and Secretary of the Company in December 1993.

(5)   Represents (i) the Company’s portion of the matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan on behalf of the following named executive officer, Julie Smolyansky: $0.00 for 2012; and (ii) the following amounts related to personal usage of automobiles leased by the Company, and related insurance and fuel, for 2012: $8,400 for of lease payments, $4,740 for insurance premiums and $1,140 for fuel.

(6)   Represents (i) the Company’s portion of the matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan on behalf of the following named executive officer, Edward Smolyansky: $17,000 for 2012; and (ii) the following amounts related to personal usage of automobiles leased by the Company, and related insurance and fuel, for 2012:  $8,400 for lease payments, $4,740 for insurance premiums and $1,140 for fuel.

(7)   Represents (i) the Company’s portion of the matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan on behalf of the following named executive officer, Val Nikolenko: $18,500 for 2012; and (ii) the following amounts related to personal usage of automobiles leased by the Company, and related insurance and fuel, for 2012: $7,290 for lease payments, $2,570 for insurance premiums and $900 for fuel.

The Company does not maintain any formal bonus or cash incentive plans or arrangements. However, the Board determines bonus awards, if any, on an annual basis.

Julie Smolyansky has an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with the Company pursuant to which she serves as Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Ms. Smolyansky is entitled to an annual base salary and an annual bonus subject to such incentive bonus targets and plans which the Company may adopt from time to time. The Company has not currently set any such targets in advance or adopted any such plans. In lieu thereof, the Board of Directors determines Ms. Smolyansky’s salary and a discretionary bonus on an annual basis concurrently with determining amounts for other executive officers. In the event that (a) Ms. Smolyansky is terminated other than for Cause (as defined therein) or (b) Ms. Smolyansky terminates her employment for Good Reason (as defined therein) or death, then Ms. Smolyansky is entitled to a lump sum payment consisting of (y) twice her then-current base salary and (z) the aggregate of the annual bonus for which she is then eligible under the Employment Agreement and any plans.

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There are no employment agreements with other executive officers (written or unwritten).

On June 9, 1995, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the “Lifeway Foods, Inc. Consulting and Services Compensation Plan” (the “Plan”) covering 1,200,000, as adjusted, shares of its Common Stock. The Plan was adopted by the Company on June 5, 1995. Pursuant to such Plan, the Company may issue common stock or options to purchase common stock to certain consultants, service providers, and employees of the Company. There were a total of approximately 940,000 shares eligible for issuance under the Plan at December 31, 2012. The option price, number of shares, grant date, and vesting terms of awards granted under the Plan are determined at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Outstanding Equity Awards At December 31, 2012

As of December 31, 2012, there were no stock options outstanding or exercisable and no unvested stock awards.

There are no agreements with the named executive officers that provide for payments in connection with resignation, retirement, termination of employment or change in control other than the Employment Agreement described above.

Director Compensation as of December 31, 2012

Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash		All Other Compensation			Total
Ludmila Smolyansky	$	591,626	$	13,052	(1)	$	604,678	(2)
Pol Sikar	$	2,000		—		$	2,000
Renzo Bernardi	$	2,000		—		$	2,000
Gustavo Carlos Valle		—		—			—
Eugene Katz	$	1,000		—		$	1,000
Paul Lee	$	500		—		$	500
Jason Sher		—		—			—

(1)   Of the Fees Paid in Cash, $591,626 represents the annual fees paid to Ms. Smolyansky for her services as a consultant to the Company. Ms. Smolyansky did not receive any additional retainer fees or other meeting attendance fees in her capacity as a director.

(2)   Represents (i) the Company’s portion of the matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan on behalf of Ludmila Smolyansky: $11,332 for 2012; and (ii) $0.00 for insurance premiums and $1,720 for fuel.

During 2012, each outside (non-employee) director other than Ms. Ludmila Smolyansky was compensated at the rate of $500 per non-annual meeting attended. No employee director (Julie Smolyansky) nor any Director serving as the nominee of Danone (Gustavo Carlos Valle) was compensated as a Director during 2012.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock, the Company’s only outstanding class of securities, as of March 9, 2013 by (a) each shareholder known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s Common Stock, (b) each of the Company’s directors, (c) each of the Company’s executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above and (d) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. The shareholders listed below have sole voting and investment power except as noted.

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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)	Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership	Percent of Class(2)
Ludmila Smolyansky(3,6)	7,410,484	45.3%
Julie Smolyansky(3,7)	548,265	3.4%
Edward Smolyansky(3)	307,546	1.9%
Pol Sikar(3)	3,000	*
Renzo Bernardi(3)	14,900	*
Gustavo Carlos Valle (3,4)	0	*
Paul Lee(3)	0	*
Jason Scher(3)	0	*
Val Nikolenko	0	*
All Directors and Officers of the Company as a Group (Seven persons in total)	8,284,195	50.7%
Danone Foods, Inc.	3,454,756	21.1%
Mario J. Gabelli(5)	831,805	5.1%
_________________
*Less than .01%.

NOTES TO BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TABLE

(1)   With the exception of Gustavo Carlos Valle and Danone Foods, Inc., the address for all Directors and shareholders listed in this table is 6431 Oakton St., Morton Grove, IL 60053. The address of Gustavo Carlos Valle and Danone Foods, Inc. is 100 Hillside Avenue, White Plains, NY 10603-2861.

(2)   Based upon 16,346,017 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 9, 2013.

(3)   A director or officer of the Company.

(4)   Mr. Valle is also an officer of the Dannon Company, Inc., which is an affiliate of Danone Foods, Inc.

(5)   Mr. Gabelli directly or indirectly controls or acts as the chief investment officer of Gabelli funds, LLC, GAMCO Asset Management, Inc. and Teton Advisors, Inc. The 831,805 shares of the Company's common stock that Mr. Gabelli may be deemed to beneficially own, include (i) 5,500 shares held directly by Mr. Gabelli, (ii) 326 shares held by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (iii) 286,305 shares held by GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., and (iv) 213,000 shares held by Teton Advisors, Inc.

(6)   Includes 7,410,484 shares held by the Ludmila Smolyansky Trust 2/1/05, of which Ms. Smolyansky is the trustee.

(7)   Includes 5,000 shares held by Ms. Smolyansky on behalf of minor children.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan category (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders	0	$0	940,000
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	0	$0	—
Total	0	$0	—

*All of Lifeway’s equity compensation plans have been approved by its shareholders. The only Securities remaining available for issuance are under the Plan the terms of which are described in the narratives following the Summary Compensation Table above.

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ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

Related Transactions

We have determined that there are no related party transactions in excess of the lesser $120,000 or 1% of the average of the Company’s total assets for each of 2011 and 2012, since the beginning of 2010 or currently proposed, involving the Company.

Director Independence

In evaluating director independence, the Company has adopted the definition set forth in Rule 4200 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Company’s board of directors, taking into consideration the relationships described in the Certain Relationships and Related Transactions section above, has determined that of the Company’s current directors, Pol Sikar, Renzo Bernardi, Paul Lee and Jason Scher were independent of management.

The Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee, compensation committee or any committees performing similar functions. As there are only seven Directors serving on the Board, it is the view of the Board that a majority of the Directors should participate in the process for the nomination and review of potential Director candidates and for the review of the Company’s executive pay practices. Accordingly, Julie Smolyansky and Ludmila Smolyansky, who are not considered independent, participate in the nominating process, in the review of executive employment contracts entered into during their tenure as directors and Julie Smolyansky and Ludmila Smolyansky, who are not considered independent, in review of the Company’s executive compensation practices, together with the independent directors.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

AUDIT FEES

In 2012 and 2011, Plante & Moran, PLLC, billed Lifeway approximately $324,081 and $247,711, respectively, for professional services rendered for the audit of Lifeway’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in Lifeway’s Forms 10-Q or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements in 2011 and 2012.

AUDIT-RELATED FEES

None.

TAX FEES

No professional services were rendered by Plante & Moran, PLLC to Lifeway regarding tax advice, tax compliance and tax planning during 2011 and 2012.

ALL OTHER FEES

No other fees were billed to Lifeway by Plante & Moran, PLLC during 2011 and 2012 other than those described in this report.

No hours expended by Plante & Moran, PLLC in its engagement to audit Lifeway’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributable to work performed by persons other than Plante’s full-time permanent employees. The Audit Committee has approved 100% of all services performed by Plante for Lifeway and disclosed above.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Lifeway Audit Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of Messrs. Sikar, Bernardi, and Katz, pre-approved Plante & Moran, PLLC as the Company’s independent auditor for the year-ended December 31, 2012 and has adopted the following guidelines regarding the engagement of the Company’s independent auditor to perform services for the Company. Mr. Katz thereafter declined to stand for re-election. Mr. Lee was subsequently elected and appointed to fill Mr. Katz’ vacancy on the Company’s Board of Directors and the Committee.

For audit services (including statutory audit engagements as required under local country laws), the independent auditor will provide the Committee with an engagement letter during the January-March quarter of each year outlining the scope of the audit services proposed to be performed during the fiscal year. If agreed to by the Committee, this engagement letter will be formally accepted by the Committee at its first or second quarter meeting.

The independent auditor will submit to the Committee for approval an audit services fee proposal after acceptance of the engagement letter.

For non-audit services, the Company’s management will submit to the Committee for approval (during the second or third quarter of each fiscal year) the list of non-audit services that it recommends the Committee engage the independent auditor to provide for the fiscal year. Company management and the independent auditor will each confirm to the Committee that each non-audit service on the list is permissible under all applicable legal requirements. In addition to the list of planned non-audit services, a budget estimating non-audit service spending for the fiscal year will be provided. The Committee will approve both the list of permissible non-audit services and the budget for such services. The Committee will be informed routinely as to the non-audit services actually provided by the independent auditor pursuant to this pre-approval process.

To ensure prompt handling of unexpected matters, the Committee delegates to either member thereof the authority to amend or modify the list of approved permissible non-audit services and fees. Either member will report action taken to the Committee at the next Committee meeting.

The independent auditor must ensure that all audit and non-audit services provided to the Company have been approved by the Committee. The Chief Financial Officer will be responsible for tracking all independent auditor fees against the budget for such services and report at least annually to the Committee.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

A list of the Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules filed as part of this Report is set forth in Item 8, which list is incorporated herein by reference.

EXHIBITS

3.1 Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.5 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on December 10, 2002 (File No. 000-17363)).

3.2 Articles of Incorporation, as amended and currently in effect (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Lifeway’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 and filed on August 8, 2000 (File No. 000- 17363)).

4.1 Revolving Note dated February 6, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2009 and filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 000- 17363)).

4.2 Term Note dated February 6, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 on Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2009 and filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.1 Lifeway Foods, Inc. Consulting and Services Compensation Plan, dated June 5, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Lifeway’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, (File No. 333-93306)).

10.2 Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 1999 by and among Danone Foods, Inc., Lifeway Foods, Inc., Michael Smolyansky and certain other parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 1999, and filed October 12, 1999 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.3 Stockholders’ Agreement dated October 1, 1999 by and among Danone Foods, Inc., Lifeway Foods, Inc., Michael Smolyansky and certain other parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 1999, and filed October 12, 1999 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.4 Letter Agreement dated December 24, 1999 (amending original Stockholders’ Agreement with Danone Foods, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 24, 1999, and filed January 12, 2000 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.5 Employment Agreement, dated September 12, 2002, between Lifeway Foods, Inc. and Julie Smolyansky (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Amendment No. 2 filed April 30, 2003 to Lifeway’s Quarterly Report on Form 10- QSB/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.6 Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009 by and among Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., LFI Enterprises, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC and The Private Bank and Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2009 and filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.7 First Modification Agreement dated August 13, 2009 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009 and filed on March 31, 2010 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.8 Second Modification Agreement dated November 12, 2009 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009 and filed on March 31, 2010 (File No. 000- 17363)).

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10.9 Third Modification Agreement dated February 6, 2010 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009 and filed on March 31, 2010 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.10 Fourth Modification Agreement dated March 31, 2011 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2010 and filed on March 31, 2011 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.11 Fifth Modification Agreement dated June 20, 2011 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC.

10.12 Sixth Modification Agreement dated June 13, 2012, effective as of May 31, 2012, by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC.

14 Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 on Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 and filed on March 31, 2008 (File No. 000-17363)).

21 List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Julie Smolyansky

31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Edward P. Smolyansky

32.1 Section 1350 Certification of Julie Smolyansky

32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Edward P. Smolyansky

101 Interactive Data Files

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.
Date: April 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Julie Smolyansky
		Julie Smolyansky
		Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director

Date: April 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Edward P. Smolyansky
		Edward P. Smolyansky
		Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Julie Smolyansky and Edward P. Smolyansky, and each of them individually, his or her true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to this Report together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all exhibits to this Report and any and all exhibits and schedules thereto, (iii) act on, sign and file any and all such certificates, notices, communications, reports, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith and (iv) take any and all such actions which may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, and each of them individually, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and hereby approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agents, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, any of them or any of his, her or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date: April 1, 2013	/s/ Julie Smolyansky
	Julie Smolyansky
	Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director

Date: April 1, 2013	/s/ Ludmila Smolyansky
	Ludmila Smolyansky
	Chairperson of the Board of Directors

Date: April 1, 2013	/s/ Pol Sikar
	Pol Sikar
	Director

Date:
	Gustavo Carlos Valle
	Director

Date: April 1, 2013	/s/ Renzo Bernardi
	Renzo Bernardi
	Director

Date: April 1, 2013	/s/ Paul Lee
	Paul Lee
	Director
Date: April 1, 2013	/s/ Jason Scher
	Jason Scher
	Director

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INDEX OF EXHIBITS

3.1 Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.5 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on December 10, 2002 (File No. 000-17363)).

3.2 Articles of Incorporation, as amended and currently in effect (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Lifeway’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 and filed on August 8, 2000 (File No. 000- 17363)).

4.1 Revolving Note dated February 6, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2009 and filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 000- 17363)).

4.2 Term Note dated February 6, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 on Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2009 and filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.1 Lifeway Foods, Inc. Consulting and Services Compensation Plan, dated June 5, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Lifeway’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, (File No. 333-93306)).

10.2 Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 1999 by and among Danone Foods, Inc., Lifeway Foods, Inc., Michael Smolyansky and certain other parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 1999, and filed October 12, 1999 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.3 Stockholders’ Agreement dated October 1, 1999 by and among Danone Foods, Inc., Lifeway Foods, Inc., Michael Smolyansky and certain other parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 1, 1999, and filed October 12, 1999 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.4 Letter Agreement dated December 24, 1999 (amending original Stockholders’ Agreement with Danone Foods, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 24, 1999, and filed January 12, 2000 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.5 Employment Agreement, dated September 12, 2002, between Lifeway Foods, Inc. and Julie Smolyansky (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Amendment No. 2 filed April 30, 2003 to Lifeway’s Quarterly Report on Form 10- QSB/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 (File No. 000-17363)).

10.6 Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009 by and among Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., LFI Enterprises, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC and The Private Bank and Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Lifeway’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2009 and filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.7 First Modification Agreement dated August 13, 2009 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009 and filed on March 31, 2010 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.8 Second Modification Agreement dated November 12, 2009 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009 and filed on March 31, 2010 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.9 Third Modification Agreement dated February 6, 2010 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2009 and filed on March 31, 2010 (File No. 000- 17363)).

10.10 Fourth Modification Agreement dated March 31, 2011 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2010 and filed on March 31, 2011 (File No. 000- 17363)).

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10.11 Fifth Modification Agreement dated June 20, 2011 by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC.

10.12 Sixth Modification Agreement dated June 13, 2012, effective as of May 31, 2012, by and among The PrivateBank and Trust Company, Lifeway Foods, Inc., Fresh Made, Inc., Helios Nutrition Limited, Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC and Starfruit, LLC.

14 Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 on Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 and filed on March 31, 2008 (File No. 000-17363)).

21 List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Julie Smolyansky

31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Edward P. Smolyansky

32.1 Section 1350 Certification of Julie Smolyansky

32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Edward P. Smolyansky

101  Interactive Data Files

EX-10.11

EXHIBIT 10.11

FIFTH MODIFICATION TO

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Fifth Modification to Loan and Security Agreement (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of June 20, 2011 by and among THE PRIVATEBANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the “Bank”), LIFEWAY FOODS, INC., an Illinois corporation (“Lifeway”), FRESH MADE, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation (“FMI”), HELIOS NUTRITION LIMITED, a Minnesota corporation (“Helios”), PRIDE OF MAIN STREET DAIRY, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Pride”), and STARFRUIT, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (“Starfruit” and together with Lifeway, FMI, Helios and Pride being sometimes collectively referred to as the “Borrowers”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Borrowers previously entered into a Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended by that certain First Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August 13, 2009, by that certain Second Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated November 12, 2009, by that certain Third Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2010 and by that certain Fourth Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 20, 2011 (as modified, the “Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which the Bank made available to the Borrowers a credit facility.

WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire, and the Bank is willing, to extend the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, all upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS, this Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document and these Recitals shall be construed as part of this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.Definitions.  (a)  Undefined Terms.  Unless the context otherwise provides or requires, capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement; provided, however, that all references in the Loan Agreement to (a) “Obligations” shall, in addition to the definition set forth in the Loan Agreement include, but not be limited to, the duties and obligations of the Borrowers under this Amendment and (b) “Loan Documents” shall, in addition to the definition set forth in the Loan Agreement include, but not be limited to, this Amendment and the documents and instruments to be delivered pursuant to this Amendment.

(b)Amended and Restated Defined Term.  When used herein and in the Loan Agreement, the following term shall have the following amended and restated meanings:

“Revolving Loan Maturity Date” shall mean May 31, 2012, unless extended by the Bank pursuant to any modification, extension or renewal note executed by the Borrowers and accepted by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion in substitution for the Revolving Note.”

2. Amendment to Revolving Loan.  The Revolving Loan is hereby extended to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.  Accordingly, all references in the Revolving Note to February 6, 2010 (subsequently amended to May 31, 2011) are replaced with May 31,2012, and the Revolving Note is hereby so amended.  Except as specifically set forth herein, the Revolving Note, the Term Note and the Loan Documents previously delivered by the Borrowers shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.  The indebtedness evidenced by the Revolving Note (as hereby amended by this Fifth Modification) is continuing indebtedness of the Borrowers and nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute a payment, settlement or novation of the Revolving Note, or to release or otherwise adversely affect any lien or security interest securing such indebtedness or any rights of the Bank against any party primarily or secondarily liable for such indebtedness.

3.Representations and Warranties of Borrowers.

(a)The Recitals in this Amendment are true and correct in all respects.

(b)All representations and warranties of each Borrower in the Loan Agreement and in the other Loan Documents to which each Borrower is a party are incorporated herein in full by this reference and are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date.

(c)After giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(d)Each Borrower has the power, and has been duly authorized by all requisite action, to execute and deliver this Amendment.  This Amendment has been duly executed by each Borrower.

(e)This Amendment is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Borrower, enforceable against each Borrower and each of the other Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(f)The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment do not and will not (i) violate any law, rule, regulation or court order to which any of the Borrowers is subject; (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of the certificate of formation or incorporation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any of the Borrowers or any other agreement or instrument to which it is party or by which the properties of any of the Borrowers is bound; or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any of the Borrowers, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens in favor of the Bank.

(g)No consent or authorization of, filing with or other act by or in respect of any Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by each of the Borrowers, or the validity or enforceability, of this Amendment, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

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4.Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.  This Amendment shall be effective on the date when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied in the sole discretion of the Bank:

(a)Amendment.  Each of the Borrowers and the Bank shall have delivered to the Bank executed counterparts of this Amendment;

(b)Secretaries’ Certificates.  With respect to each Borrower (i) good standing certificates in its state of incorporation (or formation) and in each other state requested by the Bank; (ii) resolutions of its board of directors (or similar governing body) approving and authorizing such Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (iii) certification that the certificates delivered by such Borrower on or about April 20, 2011, remain in full force and effect (it being understood that the Bank may conclusively rely on each such certificate until formally advised by a like certificate of any changes therein), all certified by its secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) as being in full force and effect without modification; and

(c)Other Documents.  The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Bank such other agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents as the Bank may reasonably request to accomplish the purposes of this Amendment.

5.Reference to and Effect on Loan Documents.

(a)Ratification.  Except as specifically provided in this Amendment, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and each Borrower hereby ratifies and confirms each such Loan Document.

(b)No Waiver.  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver or forbearance of any right, power or remedy of the Bank under the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or, except as expressly provided in herein, constitute a consent, waiver or modification with respect to any provision of the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.  Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment each reference in (a) the Loan Agreement to ‘‘this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or words of similar import and (b) any other Loan Document to “the Agreement” shall, in each case and except as otherwise specifically stated therein, mean and be a reference to the Loan Agreement as amended and modified hereby.

6.Entire Agreement.  This Amendment, including all annexes, exhibits, schedules and other documents incorporated by reference herein or delivered in connection herewith, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other understandings, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

7.Fees and Expenses.  As provided in the Loan Agreement, the Borrowers agree to pay on demand all fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Bank in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment.

8.Severability.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Amendment shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Amendment shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Amendment.

3

9.Conflict of Terms.  Except as otherwise provided in this Amendment, if any provision contained in this Amendment is in conflict with, or inconsistent with, any provision in any of the other Loan Documents, the provision contained in this Amendment shall govern and control.

10.      Successors and Assigns.  This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Bank and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Borrower.

11.  Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall be one and the same instrument.  Signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Amendment by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission  (such as fax or e-mail) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

12. Headings.  The paragraph headings used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

13. Applicable Law.  THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS SET FORTH IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, OR, IF NO JURISDICTION IS SET FORTH THEREIN, BY THE INTERNAL LAWS (AS OPPOSED TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

14.  Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction.  ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS;  PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE BANK FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.  EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE.  EACH OF THE BORROWERS FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.  EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

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15.  Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE BANK AND EACH OF THE BORROWERS, AFTER CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL, EACH KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE IRREVOCABLY, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AMENDMENT, ANY NOTE, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER OBLIGATIONS, THE COLLATERAL, OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY LENDING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT OR COURSE OF DEALING IN WHICH THE BANK AND ANY OF THE BORROWERS ARE ADVERSE PARTIES, AND EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.  THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE BANK ENTERING INTO THIS AMENDMENT.

16.  Release of Claims.  In consideration of the execution and delivery of this Amendment by the Bank, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, and excepting only the contractual obligations respecting future performance by the Bank arising under the Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably releases and forever discharges the Bank and each of its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives and attorneys (each, a “Released Person”) of and from all damages, losses, claims, demands, liabilities, obligations, actions and causes of action whatsoever which such Borrowers may now have or claim to have on and as of the date hereof against any Released Person, whether presently known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated, suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, and of every nature and extent whatsoever (collectively, “Claims”). Each Borrower jointly and severally represents and warrants to the Bank that it has not granted or purported to grant to any other Person any interest whatsoever in any Claim, as security or otherwise.  The Borrowers shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Released Person from and against any and all Claims and any loss, cost, liability, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by any Released Person in investigating, preparing for, defending against, providing evidence or producing documents in connection with or taking other action in respect of any commenced or threatened Claim.

EACH BORROWER AGREES TO ASSUME THE RISK OF ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN, UNANTICIPATED OR MISUNDERSTOOD DEFENSES, CLAIMS, CONTRACTS, LIABILITIES, INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS WHICH ARE RELEASED, WAIVED AND DISCHARGED BY THIS AMENDMENT.  EACH BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES AND RELINQUISHES ALL RIGHTS AND BENEFITS WHICH IT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER ANY CIVIL CODE OR ANY SIMILAR LAW, TO THE EXTENT SUCH LAW MAY BE APPLICABLE, WITH REGARD TO THE RELEASE OF SUCH UNKNOWN, UNANTICIPATED OR MISUNDERSTOOD DEFENSES, CLAIMS, CONTRACTS, LIABILITIES, INDEBTEDNESS AND

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OBLIGATIONS.  TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LAWS MAY BE APPLICABLE, EACH BORROWER WAIVES AND RELEASES ANY RIGHT OR DEFENSE WHICH IT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER ANY OTHER LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE JURISDICTION WHICH MIGHT LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE EFFECTIVENESS OR SCOPE OF ANY OF THEIR WAIVERS OR RELEASES HEREUNDER.

[Signature page follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first written above.

THE BANK:

THE PRIVATEBANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By:  /s/ Douglas W. Buehl               

        Authorized Officer

THE BORROWERS:

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.

By:  /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                  

Title:  CFO & Secretary                                                                  

FRESH MADE, INC.

By:  /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                  

Title:  CFO & Secretary                                                                          

HELIOS NUTRITION LIMITED

By:  /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                         

Title:  CFO & Secretary                                                                                                

PRIDE OF MAIN STREET DAIRY, LLC

By:  /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                         

Title:  Manager                                                                                                               

STARFRUIT, LLC

By:  /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                         

Title:  Manager                                                                                                               

EX-10.12

EXHIBIT 10.12

SIXTH MODIFICATION TO

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Sixth Modification to Loan and Security Agreement (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of June 13, 2012, but effective as of May 31, 2012, by and among THE PRIVATEBANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the “Bank”), LIFEWAY FOODS, INC., an Illinois corporation (“Lifeway”), FRESH MADE, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation (“FMI”), HELLOS NUTRITION LIMITED, a Minnesota corporation (“Helios”), PRIDE OF MAIN STREET DAIRY, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Pride”), and STARFRUIT, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (“Starfruit” and together with Lifeway, FMI, Helios and Pride being sometimes collectively referred to as the “Borrowers”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Borrowers previously entered into a Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended by that certain First Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August 13, 2009, by that certain Second Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated November 12, 2009, by that certain Third Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2010, by that certain Fourth Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 20, 2011 and by that certain Fifth Modification to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 20, 2011 (as modified, the “Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which the Bank made available to the Borrowers a credit facility.

WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire, and the Bank is willing, to (a) extend the Revolving Loan Maturity Date and (b) increase the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment, all upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment; and WHEREAS, this Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document and these Recitals shall be construed as part of this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.Definitions.

(a)Undefined Terms. Unless the context otherwise provides or requires, capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement; provided, however, that all references in the Loan Agreement to (a) “Obligations” shall, in addition to the definition set forth in the Loan Agreement include, but not be limited to, the duties and obligations of the Borrowers under this Amendment and (b) “Loan Documents” shall, in addition to the definition set forth in the Loan Agreement include, but not be limited to, this Amendment and the documents and instruments to be delivered pursuant to this Amendment.

(b)Amended and Restated Defined Term. When used herein and in the Loan Agreement, the following term shall have the following amended and restated meanings:

“Revolving Loan Commitment” shall mean Three Million and 00/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00).”

“Revolving Loan Maturity Date” shall mean May 31, 2013, unless extended by the Bank pursuant to any modification, extension or renewal note executed by the Borrowers and accepted by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion in substitution for the Revolving Note.”

2.Amendment to Revolving Loan and Revolving Note. The Revolving Loan is hereby extended to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. The Revolving Note is hereby amended by (a) deleing all references to February 6, 2010 (subsequently amended to May 31, 2012) and replacing such references with May 31, 2013, (b) deleting all references to “Four Million” (subsequently amended to “Two Million”) and replacing such references with “Three Million” and (c) deleting all references to “$4,000,000” (subsequently amended to $2,000,000) and replacing such references with “$3,000,000”. Except as specifically set forth herein, the Revolving Note, the Term Note and the Loan Documents previously delivered by the Borrowers shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects. The indebtedness evidenced by the Revolving Note (as hereby amended by this Sixth Modification) is continuing indebtedness of the Borrowers and nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute a payment, settlement or novation of the Revolving Note, or to release or otherwise adversely affect any lien or security interest securing such indebtedness or any rights of the Bank against any party primarily or secondarily liable for such indebtedness.

3.Representations and Warranties of Borrowers.

(a)The Recitals in this Amendment are true and correct in all respects.

(b)All representations and warranties of each Borrower in the Loan Agreement and in the other Loan Documents to which each Borrower is a party are incorporated herein in full by this reference and are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date.

(c)After giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(d)Each Borrower has the power, and requisite action, to execute and deliver this Amendment. executed by each Borrower. has been duly authorized by all This Amendment has been duly

(e)This Amendment is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Borrower, enforceable against each Borrower and each of the other Borrowers in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(f)The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment do not and will not (i) violate any law, rule, regulation or court order to which any of the Borrowers is subject; (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of the certificate of formation or incorporation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any of the Borrowers or any other agreement or instrument to which it is party or by which the properties of any of the Borrowers is bound; or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any of the Borrowers, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens in favor of the Bank.

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(g)No consent or authorization of, filing with or other act by or in respect of any Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by each of the Borrowers, or the validity or enforceability, of this Amendment, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall be effective on the date when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied in the sole discretion of the Bank:

(a)Amendment. Each of the Borrowers and the Bank shall have delivered to the Bank executed counterparts of this Amendment;

(b)Secretaries’ Certificates. With respect to each Borrower (i) good standing certificates in its state of incorporation (or formation) and in each other state requested by the Bank; and (ii) certification that the certificates delivered by such Borrower on or about April 20, 2011, remain in full force and effect (it being understood that the Bank may conclusively rely on each such certificate until formally advised by a like certificate of any changes therein), all certified by its secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) as being in full force and effect without modification; and

(c)Other Documents. The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Bank such other agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents as the Bank may reasonably request to accomplish the purposes of this Amendment.

5.Reference to and Effect on Loan Documents.

(a)Ratification. Except as specifically provided in this Amendment, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and each Borrower hereby ratifies and confirms each such Loan Document.

(b)No Waiver. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver or forbearance of any right, power or remedy of the Bank under the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or, except as expressly provided in herein, constitute a consent, waiver or modification with respect to any provision of the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment each reference in (a) the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or words of similar import and (b) any other Loan Document to “the Agreement” shall, in each case and except as otherwise specifically stated therein, mean and be a reference to the Loan Agreement as amended and modified hereby.

6.Entire Agreement. This Amendment, including all annexes, exhibits, schedules and other documents incorporated by reference herein or delivered in connection herewith, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other understandings, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

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7.Fees and Expenses. As provided in the Loan Agreement, the Borrowers agree to pay on demand all fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Bank in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment.

8.Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Amendment shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Amendment shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Amendment.

9.Conflict of Terms. Except as otherwise provided in this Amendment, if any provision contained in this Amendment is in conflict with, or inconsistent with, any provision in any of the other Loan Documents, the provision contained in this Amendment shall govern and control.

10.  Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Bank and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Borrower.

11.  Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall be one and the same instrument. Signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Amendment by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission (such as fax or e-mail) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

12.       Headings. The paragraph headings used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

13. Applicable Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS SET FORTH IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, OR, IF NO JURISDICTION IS SET FORTH THEREIN, BY THE INTERNAL LAWS (AS OPPOSED TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

14.        Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction. ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE BANK FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE. EACH OF THE BORROWERS FURTHER

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 IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

15.       Waiver of Jury Trial. THE BANK AND EACH OF THE BORROWERS, AFTER CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL, EACH KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE IRREVOCABLY, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AMENDMENT, ANY NOTE, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER OBLIGATIONS, THE COLLATERAL, OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY LENDING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT OR COURSE OF DEALING IN WHICH THE BANK AND ANY OF THE BORROWERS ARE ADVERSE PARTIES, AND EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE BANK ENTERING INTO THIS AMENDMENT.

16.       Release of Claims. In consideration of the execution and delivery of this Amendment by the Bank, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, and excepting only the contractual obligations respecting future performance by the Bank arising under the Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably releases and forever discharges the Bank and each of its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives and attorneys (each, a “Released Person”) of and from all damages, losses, claims, demands, liabilities, obligations, actions and causes of action whatsoever which such Borrowers may now have or claim to have on and as of the date hereof against any Released Person, whether presently known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated, suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, and of every nature and extent whatsoever (collectively, “Claims”). Each Borrower jointly and severally represents and warrants to the Bank that it has not granted or purported to grant to any other Person any interest whatsoever in any Claim, as security or otherwise. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Released Person from and against any and all Claims and any loss, cost, liability, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by any Released Person in investigating, preparing for, defending against, providing evidence or producing documents in connection with or taking other action in respect of any commenced or threatened Claim.

EACH BORROWER AGREES TO ASSUME THE RISK OF ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN, UNANTICIPATED OR MISUNDERSTOOD DEFENSES, CLAIMS, CONTRACTS, LIABILITIES, INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS WHICH ARE RELEASED, WAIVED AND DISCHARGED BY THIS AMENDMENT. EACH BORROWER

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HEREBY WAIVES AND RELINQUISHES ALL RIGHTS AND BENEFITS WHICH IT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER ANY CIVIL CODE OR ANY SIMILAR LAW, TO THE EXTENT SUCH LAW MAY BE APPLICABLE, WITH REGARD TO THE RELEASE OF SUCH UNKNOWN, UNANTICIPATED OR MISUNDERSTOOD DEFENSES, CLAIMS, CONTRACTS, LIABILITIES, INDEBTEDNESS AND OBLIGATIONS. TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LAWS MAY BE APPLICABLE, EACH BORROWER WAIVES AND RELEASES ANY RIGHT OR DEFENSE WHICH IT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER ANY OTHER LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE JURISDICTION WHICH MIGHT LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE EFFECTIVENESS OR SCOPE OF ANY OF THEIR WAIVERS OR RELEASES HEREUNDER.

[Signature page follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first written above.

THE BANK:

THE PRIVATE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By:   /s/ Douglas W. Buehl___________________

        Authorized Officer

THE BORROWERS:

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.

By:   /s/ Julie Smolyansky                                                                                               

Title  President & CEO                                                                                                   

FRESH MADE, INC.

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                           

Title:  Secretary                                                                                                               

HELIOS NUTRITION LIMITED

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                           

Title:  Secretary                                                                                                               

PRIDE OF MAIN STREET DAIRY, LLC

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                           

Title: Manager                                                                                                                  

STARFRUIT, LLC

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                                                                                          

Title: Manager                                                                                                                  

CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF

FRESH MADE, INC.

(a Pennsylvania Corporation)

The undersigned, hereby certifies that she is the duly elected and qualified Secretary of Fresh Made, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), and that, as such, is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the Company, and further certifies that:

1. The Certificate of the Secretary of the Company dated on or about April 20, 2011 and delivered to The PrivateBank and Trust Company in connection with the Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended, is hereby reaffirmed as true and correct as of the date hereof; and

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Good Standing of the Company issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of State and remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 13th day of June, 2012.

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                              

            Edward Smolyansky, Secretary

EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.

(an Illinois Corporation)

The undersigned, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and qualified Secretary of Lifeway Foods, Inc., an Illinois corporation (the “Company”), and that, as such, is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the Company, and further certifies that:

1. The Certificate of the Secretary of the Company dated on or about April 20, 2011 and delivered to The PrivateBank and Trust Company in connection with the Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended, is hereby reaffirmed as true and correct as of the date hereof; and

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Good Standing of the Company issued by the Illinois Secretary of State and remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 13th day of June, 2012.

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                     

            Edward Smolyansky, Secretary

EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

CERTIFICATE OF THE MANAGER OF

STARFRUIT, LLC

(an Illinois Limited Liability Company)

The undersigned, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and qualified Manager of Starfruit, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (the “Company”), and that, as such, is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the Company, and further certifies that:

1. The Certificate of the Manager of the Company dated on or about April 20, 2011 and delivered to The PrivateBank and Trust Company in connection with the Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended, is hereby reaffirmed as true and correct as of the date hereof; and

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Good Standing of the Company issued by the Illinois Secretary of State and remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 13th day of June, 2012.

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                 

            Edward Smolyansky, Manager

EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF

HELLOS NUTRITION LIMITED

(a Minnesota Corporation)

The undersigned, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and qualified Secretary of Helios Nutrition Limited, a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”), and that, as such, is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the Company, and further certifies that:

1. The Certificate of the Secretary of the Company dated on or about April 20, 2011 and delivered to The PrivateBank and Trust Company in connection with the Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended, is hereby reaffirmed as true and correct as of the date hereof; and

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Good Standing of the Company issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State and remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 13th day of June, 2012.

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                         

            Edward Smolyansky, Secretary

EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

CERTIFICATE OF THE MANAGER OF

PRIDE OF MAIN STREET DAIRY, LLC

(a Minnesota Limited Liability Company)

The undersigned, hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and qualified Manager of Pride of Main Street Dairy, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the “Company”), and that, as such, is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the Company, and further certifies that:

1. The Certificate of the Chief Manager of the Company dated on or about April 20, 2011 and delivered to The PrivateBank and Trust Company in connection with the Loan and Security Agreement dated February 6, 2009, as amended, is hereby reaffirmed as true and correct as of the date hereof; and

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Good Standing of the Company issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State and remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 13th day of June, 2012.

By:   /s/ Edward Smolyansky                    

            Edward Smolyansky, Manager

EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

EX-21

EXHIBIT 21

Subsidiaries of Lifeway Foods, Inc.:

Helios Nutrition, Ltd. — a Minnesota corporation, 100% owned

Pride of Main Street Dairy, L.L.C. — a Minnesota limited liability company, 100% owned by Helios Nutrition, Ltd.

Fresh Made, Inc. — a Pennsylvania corporation, 100% owned

Starfruit, L.L.C. — an Illinois limited liability company, 100% owned

Starfruit Franchisor, L.L.C  — an Illinois limited liability company, 100% owned

Lifeway First Juice, Inc. — an Illinois corporation, 100% owned

First Juice, Inc. — a Delaware corporation, 100% owned by Lifeway First Juice, Inc.

EX-23.1

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement filed June 9, 1995 on Form S-8 of our report dated April 1, 2013 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Lifeway Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 which appear in this Form 10-K of Lifeway Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2012.

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC

Chicago, IL

April 1, 2013

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Julie Smolyansky, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Lifeway Foods, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	April 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Julie Smolyansky
			Julie Smolyansky Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Edward P. Smolyansky, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Lifeway Foods, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	April 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Edward P. Smolyansky
			Edward P. Smolyansky Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT

TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lifeway Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the SEC (the “Report”), the undersigned, in the capacity and on the date indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to her knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

Date:	April 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Julie Smolyansky
			Julie Smolyansky   Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT

TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lifeway Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2013 as filed with the SEC (the “Report”), the undersigned, in the capacity and on the date indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

Date:	April 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Edward P. Smolyansky
			Edward P. Smolyansky   Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Intangible Assets Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Recipes [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	4 years
Lease Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	7 years
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	15 years
Formula [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	10 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Lists And Other Customer Related Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Lists And Other Customer Related Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful lives	7 years

XML

Provision For Income Taxes (Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Provision For Income Taxes [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation and amortization from purchase accounting adjustments	$ (3,164,716)	$ (3,671,285)
Capital loss carry-forwards	136,198	167,690
Total non-current net deferred tax liabilities	(3,028,518)	(3,503,595)
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments	(41,260)	6,890
Impairment of investments	0	15,673
Inventory	265,072	220,408
Allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts	10,875	4,350
Capital loss carry-back	0	91,369
Total current deferred tax assets	234,687	338,690
Total current deferred tax assets	$ (2,793,831)	$ (3,164,905)

XML

Notes Payable (Schedule Of Notes Payable) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable	$ 5,498,926	$ 7,080,552
Less current maturities	542,981	1,540,716
Total long-term portion	4,955,945	5,539,836
Note Payable to Private Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable	5,365,556	5,914,445
Debt instrument, monthly installments	42,222
Variable interest rate	2.709%
Maturity date	Feb. 06, 2014
Line Of Credit With Private Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	1,000,000
Variable interest rate	3.25%
Maturity date	May 31, 2012
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	2,000,000
Notes Payable To Ford Credit Corp. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable	50,871	68,509
Debt instrument, monthly installments	1,778.23
Variable interest rate	5.99%
Note Payable To Fletcher Jones Of Chicago, Ltd LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable	82,499	97,598
Debt instrument, monthly installments	$ 1,768.57
Variable interest rate	6.653%
Maturity date	May 24, 2017

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Summary Of Cash Paid For Interest And Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest	$ 191,277	$ 232,429
Income taxes	$ 3,413,687	$ 1,169,334

XML

Property And Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 30,638,602	$ 29,243,398
Less accumulated depreciation	15,651,826	14,044,576
Total property and equipment	14,986,776	15,198,822
Depreciation expense	1,629,594	1,552,961
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,178,160	1,178,160
Building And Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	11,904,919	11,633,077
Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	15,185,204	14,697,024
Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	411,773	383,099
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,346,078	1,334,628
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 612,468	$ 17,410

XML

Provision For Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Provision For Income Taxes [Abstract]

Summary Of The Provision For Income Taxes

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011
Current:
Federal	$	2,757,332		$	1,059,336
State and local		882,640			850,284
Total current		3,639,972			1,909,620
Deferred		(434,896	)		68,217
Provision for income taxes	$	3,205,076		$	1,977,837

Reconciliation Of The Provision For Income Taxes At Statutory Rate

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012						2011
	Amount			Percentage			Amount			Percentage
Federal income tax expense computed at the statutory rate	$	3,000,457			34.0	%	$	1,643,308			34.0	%
State and local tax expense, net		838,363			9.5	%		561,187			11.6	%
U.S. domestic manufacturers' deduction & other permanent differences		(427,525	)		(4.9	)%		(122,837	)		(2.5	)%
Change in tax estimate		(206,219	)		(2.2	)%		(103,821	)		(2.2	)%
Provision for income taxes	$	3,205,076			36.4	%	$	1,977,837			40.9	%

Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

	December 31,
	2012			2011
Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities) arising from: Temporary differences -
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
from purchase accounting adjustments	$	(3,164,716	)	$	(3,671,285	)
Capital loss carry-forwards		136,198			167,690
Total non-current net deferred tax liabilities		(3,028,518	)		(3,503,595	)
Current deferred tax assets arising from:
Unrealized losses (gain) on investments		(41,260	)		6,890
Impairment of investments		0			15,673
Inventory		265,072			220,408
Allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts		10,875			4,350
Capital loss carry-back		0			91,369
Total current deferred tax assets		234,687			338,690
Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,793,831	)	$	(3,164,905	)

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities As Classified) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 5,498,926	$ 7,080,552
Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes Payable	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes Payable	5,498,926	7,080,552
Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes Payable	0	0
Cash [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	2,286,226	1,115,150
Cash [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	2,286,226	1,115,150
Cash [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Cash [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Equity Income [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		64,075
Equity Income [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		64,075
Equity Income [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		0
Equity Income [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		0
Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		3,050
Bonds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		3,050
Bonds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		0
Bonds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		0
Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	439,982	277,363
Certificates Of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Certificates Of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	439,982	277,363
Certificates Of Deposit [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Common Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	725,670	714,602
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	725,670	714,602
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Common Stock [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		46,750
Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		46,750
Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		0
Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value		0
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	1,144,229	866,566
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	1,144,229	866,566
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule Of Property And Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives

Category	Years
Buildings and improvements	31 and 39
Machinery and equipment	5 – 12
Office equipment	5 – 7
Vehicles	5

Schedule Of Intangible Assets Useful Lives

Category	Years
Recipes	4
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles	7-10
Lease agreement	7
Trade names	15
Formula	10
Customer relationships	12

XML

Comitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Total expenses on leases	$ 379,348	$ 240,723

XML

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of investments	$ 1,475,730	$ 1,810,816
Gross realized gains	88,713	33,278
Gross realized losses	$ 17,427	$ 62,534
Equities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number Of Investment Securities	2
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number Of Investment Securities	4
Option on Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Number Of Investment Securities	1

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Percentage of gross sales							31.00%	29.00%
Percentage Of Accounts Receivable							30.00%	20.00%
Total advertising expenses							$ 2,679,798	$ 3,156,096
Cost of goods sold	13,305,767	10,255,086	26,241,485	23,469,083	39,991,618	35,629,038	52,295,464	47,151,776
General and administrative							6,319,972	5,290,446
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Cost of goods sold	12,637,386	9,722,230	25,153,336	22,478,463	38,299,212	34,047,699
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Cost of goods sold	668,381	532,856	1,088,149	990,620	1,692,406	1,581,339		1,285,000
General and administrative								$ (1,285,000)

XML

Provision For Income Taxes (Summary Of The Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Provision For Income Taxes [Abstract]
Federal	$ 2,757,332	$ 1,059,336
State and local	882,640	850,284
Total current	3,639,972	1,909,620
Deferred	(434,896)	68,217
Provision for income taxes	$ 3,205,076	$ 1,977,837

XML

Accrued Expenses (Schedule Of Accrued Expenses) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes	$ 356,280	$ 209,395
Accrued property tax	302,573	323,885
Other	496,824	20,445
Total accrued expenses	$ 1,155,677	$ 553,725

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements follows:

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Helios Nutrition, Ltd., Pride of Main Street, L.L.C., Starfruit, L.L.C., Fresh Made, Inc. and Starfruit Franchisor, L.L.C. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made in preparing the consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation of investment securities, the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets, and deferred taxes.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of Company produced dairy products are recorded at the time of shipment and the following four criteria have been met: (i) The product has been shipped and the Company has no significant remaining obligations; (ii) Persuasive evidence of an agreement exists; (iii) The price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and (iv) Collection is probable. In addition, shipping costs invoiced to the customers are included in net sales and the related cost in cost of sales. Discounts and allowances are reported as a reduction of gross sales unless the allowance is attributable to an identifiable benefit separable from the purchase of the product, the value of which can be reasonably estimated, which would be charged to the appropriate expense account.

Customer Concentration

Sales are predominately to companies in the retail food industry, located within the United States of America. Two major customers accounted for approximately 31% percent and 29% percent of gross sales for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These customers accounted for approximately 30% percent and 20% percent of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Cash and cash equivalents

All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

The Company maintains cash deposits at several institutions located in the greater Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.

Investments

All investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Amortization, accretion, interest and dividends, realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are recorded in other income. All of the Company's securities are subject to a periodic impairment evaluation. This evaluation depends on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors that we consider in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include: the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis; the financial condition of the investee; and the intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for possible recovery in the market value of the investment.

Accounts receivable

Credit terms are extended to customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally requires no collateral. Balances expected to be paid beyond one year are classified as long-term.

Accounts receivable are recorded at invoice amounts, and reduced to their estimated net realizable value by recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts. The Company's estimate of the allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts are based upon historical experience, its evaluation of the current status and contract terms of specific receivables, and unusual circumstances, if any. Accounts are considered past due if payment is not made on a timely basis in accordance with the Company's credit terms. Accounts considered uncollectible are charged against the allowance.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at depreciated cost or fair value where depreciated cost is not recoverable. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.

Property and equipment is being depreciated over the following useful lives:

Category	Years
Buildings and improvements	31 and 39
Machinery and equipment	5 – 12
Office equipment	5 – 7
Vehicles	5

Intangible assets acquired in business combinations

The Company accounts for intangible assets at historical cost. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded under the purchase method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and other identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Brand assets represent the fair value of brands acquired. Brand assets have an indefinite life and therefore are not amortized, rather are reviewed periodically for impairment. The Company amortizes other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, as disclosed in the table below.

The Company reviews intangible assets and their related useful lives at least once per year to determine if any adverse conditions exist that would indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The Company conducts more frequent impairment assessments if certain conditions exist, including: a change in the competitive landscape, any internal decisions to pursue new or different strategies, a loss of a significant customer, or a significant change in the market place including changes in the prices paid for the Company's products or changes in the size of the market for the Company's products.

If the estimate of an intangible asset's remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.

Intangible assets are being amortized over the following useful lives:

Category	Years
Recipes	4
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles	7-10
Lease agreement	7
Trade names	15
Formula	10
Customer relationships	12

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are the result of temporary differences that arise from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.

The principal sources of temporary differences are different depreciation and amortization methods for financial statement and tax purposes, unrealized gains or losses related to investments, capitalization of indirect costs for tax purposes, purchase price adjustments, and the recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts for financial statement purposes.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The only periods subject to examination for the Company's federal returns are the 2010 and 2011 tax years. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded.

Treasury stock

Treasury stock is recorded using the cost method.

Advertising and promotional costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 total advertising expenses were $2,679,798 and $3,156,096, respectively.

Earnings per common share

Earnings per common share were computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted and basic earnings per share were the same, as the effect of dilutive securities options outstanding was not significant.

Correction of Prior Year Amounts

Management has revised the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2011 to correct an immaterial error. During 2011, amounts related to production of inventory were not presented as part of cost of goods sold at December 31, 2011 and were erroneously included as general and administrative operating expenses in our previously issued financial statements. This revision resulted in a $1.285 million increase in cost of goods sold and a corresponding decrease in the general and administrative operating expenses.

Additionally, Management has restated the unaudited statements of income and comprehensive income for interim periods during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 for similar errors in our presentation of cost of goods sold and general and administrative operating expenses. (see Note 14).

There was no impact on previously reported net income, consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

XML

Investments (Schedule Of Cost And Fair Value Of Available For Sale Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	$ 1,775,038	$ 1,710,882
Unrealized Gains	107,087	59,538
Unrealized Losses	(12,237)	(75,376)
Fair Value	1,869,888	1,695,044
Equities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	639,974	682,569
Unrealized Gains	90,875	55,244
Unrealized Losses	(5,190)	(23,211)
Fair Value	725,659	714,602
Mutual Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost		64,563
Unrealized Gains		3,275
Unrealized Losses		(713)
Fair Value		67,125
Preferred Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost		64,452
Unrealized Gains		0
Unrealized Losses		(17,702)
Fair Value		46,750
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	1,135,064	899,298
Unrealized Gains	16,212	1,019
Unrealized Losses	(7,047)	(33,750)
Fair Value	$ 1,144,229	$ 866,567

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Property And Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule Of Property And Equipment

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Land	$	1,178,160	$	1,178,160
Buildings and improvements		11,904,919		11,633,077
Machinery and equipment		15,185,204		14,697,024
Vehicles		1,346,078		1,334,628
Office equipment		411,773		383,099
Construction in process		612,468		17,410
		30,638,602		29,243,398
Less accumulated depreciation		15,651,826		14,044,576
Total property and equipment	$	14,986,776	$	15,198,822

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Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventories

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Finished goods	$	2,462,548	$	1,976,050
Production supplies		2,599,668		2,042,611
Raw materials		876,970		935,814
Total inventories	$	5,939,186	$	4,954,475

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Stock Award And Stock Option Plans (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Award And Stock Option Plans [Abstract]
Common stock shares under the Consulting Service Compensation Plan	1,200,000
Number of shares available for issuance	940,000

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Investments (Schedule Of Gross Unrealized Loss On Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 364,849	$ 803,258
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(6,466)	(47,211)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	215,840	147,585
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(5,771)	(28,165)
Total, Fair Value	580,689	950,843
Total, Unrealized Losses	(12,237)	(75,376)
Equities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	63,620	176,966
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(3,745)	(23,211)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	21,910	0
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(1,445)	0
Total, Fair Value	85,530	176,966
Total, Unrealized Losses	(5,190)	(23,211)
Mutual Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value		0
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses		0
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value		10,585
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses		(713)
Total, Fair Value		10,585
Total, Unrealized Losses		(713)
Preferred Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value		0
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses		0
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value		46,750
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses		(17,702)
Total, Fair Value		46,750
Total, Unrealized Losses		(17,702)
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	301,229	626,292
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(2,721)	(24,000)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	193,930	90,250
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(4,326)	(9,750)
Total, Fair Value	495,159	716,542
Total, Unrealized Losses	$ (7,047)	$ (33,750)

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Accrued Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accrued Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule Of Accrued Expenses

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes	$	356,280	$	209,395
Accrued property tax		302,573		323,885
Other		496,824		20,445
	$	1,155,677	$	553,725

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Notes Payable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes Payable [Abstract]

Schedule Of Notes Payable

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Note payable to Private Bank in monthly installments of $42,222, plus variable interest rate, currently at 2.709%, with a balloon payment for the remaining balance due February 6, 2014. Collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.	$	5,365,556	$	5,914,445
Line of credit with Private Bank at variable interest rate, currently at 3.25%. The agreement has been extended with terms allowing borrowings up to $2.0 million, maturing on May 31, 2013. Collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.		0		1,000,000
Notes payable to Ford Credit Corp. payable in monthly installments of $1,778.23 at 5.99%, due July 2015, secured by transportation equipment.		50,871		68,509
Note payable to Fletcher Jones of Chicago, Ltd LLC in monthly installments of $1,768.57 at 6.653%, due May 24, 2017, secured by transportation equipment.		82,499		97,598
Total notes payable		5,498,926		7,080,552
Less current maturities		542,981		1,540,716
Total long-term portion	$	4,955,945	$	5,539,836

Maturities Of Notes Payable

For the Period Ended December 31,
2013	$	542,981
2014		4,896,199
2015		30,787
2016		19,875
2017		9,084
Total	$	5,498,926

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Nature Of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Nature Of Business [Abstract]

Nature Of Business

Note 1 – NATURE OF BUSINESS

Lifeway Foods, Inc. (the "Company" or "Lifeway") commenced operations in February 1986 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois on May 19, 1986. The Company's principal business activity is the production of dairy products. Specifically, the Company produces Kefir, a drinkable product which is similar to but distinct from yogurt, in several flavors sold under the name "Lifeway's Kefir;" a plain farmer's cheese sold under the name "Lifeway's Farmer's Cheese;" a fruit sugar-flavored product similar in consistency to cream cheese sold under the name of "Sweet Kiss;" and a dairy beverage, similar to Kefir, with increased protein and calcium, sold under the name "Basics Plus." The Company also produces a vegetable-based seasoning under the name "Golden Zesta." The Company currently distributes its products throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area and various cities on the East Coast through local food stores.  In addition, products are sold throughout the United States and Ontario, Canada by distributors.  The Company also distributes some of its products to Eastern Europe.

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Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Annual Minimum Base Rental Payments

2013	$	147,318
2014		69,106
2015		45,461
2016		46,825
2017		48,229
Thereafter		49,676
Total	$	406,615

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Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Accumulated Amortization Of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 8,306,000	$ 8,306,000
Accumulated Amortization	3,842,756	3,087,940
Recipes [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	43,600	43,600
Accumulated Amortization	43,600	43,600
Customer Lists And Other Customer Related Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,504,200	4,504,200
Accumulated Amortization	2,025,736	1,546,671
Lease Acquisitions [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	87,200	87,200
Accumulated Amortization	87,200	87,200
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	985,000	985,000
Accumulated Amortization	526,701	444,618
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,248,000	2,248,000
Accumulated Amortization	878,469	728,601
Formula [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	438,000	438,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ 281,050	$ 237,250

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Provision For Income Taxes (Schedule Of Provision For Income Taxes And Income Tax Computed At The Statutory Rate) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Provision For Income Taxes [Abstract]
Federal income tax expense computed at the statutory rate	$ 3,000,457	$ 1,643,308
Federal income tax expense computed at the statutory rate, percentage	34.00%	34.00%
State and local tax expense, net	838,363	561,187
State and local tax expense, percentage	9.50%	11.60%
U.S. domestic manufacturers' deduction & other permanent differences	(427,525)	(122,837)
U.S. domestic manufacturers' deduction & other permanent differences, percentage	(4.90%)	(2.50%)
Change in tax estimate	(206,219)	(103,821)
Change in tax estimate, percentage	(2.20%)	(2.20%)
Provision for income taxes, percentage	36.40%	40.90%
Provision for income taxes	$ 3,205,076	$ 1,977,837

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Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,286,226	$ 1,115,150
Investments	1,869,888	1,695,044
Certificates of deposits in financial institutions	450,000	300,000
Inventories	5,939,186	4,954,475
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts	8,723,737	7,950,276
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	97,138	79,630
Other receivables	8,825	224,204
Deferred income taxes	234,687	338,690
Refundable income taxes	84,828	41,316
Total current assets	19,694,515	16,698,785
Property and equipment, net	14,986,776	15,198,822
Intangible assets
Goodwill and other non amortizable brand assets	14,068,091	14,068,091
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,842,756 and $3,087,940 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	4,463,242	5,218,060
Total intangible assets	18,531,333	19,286,151
Long-term accounts receivable net of current portion	294,000	289,550
Total assets	53,506,624	51,473,308
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Checks written in excess of bank balances	0	592,040
Current maturities of notes payable	542,981	1,540,716
Accounts payable	4,256,725	4,386,239
Accrued expenses	1,155,677	553,725
Accrued income taxes	254,311	0
Total current liabilities	6,209,694	7,072,720
Notes payable	4,955,945	5,539,836
Deferred income taxes	3,028,518	3,503,595
Total liabilities	14,194,157	16,116,151
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 17,273,776 shares issued; 16,346,017 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012; 17,273,776 shares issued; 16,409,317 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011	6,509,267	6,509,267
Paid-in-capital	2,032,516	2,032,516
Treasury stock, at cost	(8,187,682)	(7,606,974)
Retained earnings	38,904,777	34,431,296
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	53,591	(8,948)
Total stockholders' equity	39,312,469	35,357,157
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 53,506,626	$ 51,473,308

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Inventories (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 2,462,548	$ 1,976,050
Production supplies	2,599,668	2,042,611
Raw materials	876,970	935,814
Total inventories	$ 5,939,186	$ 4,954,475

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Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends paid per share	$ 0.07

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities As Classified

	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash	$	2,286,226	$	0	$	0	$	2,286,226
Certificate of Deposits		0		439,982		0		439,982
Stocks		725,670		0		0		725,670
Corporate Bonds		0		1,144,229		0		1,144,229
Notes Payable		0		5,498,926		0		5,498,926

	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash	$	1,115,150	$	0	$	0	$	1,115,150
Mutual Funds:
Equity Income		64,075		0		0		64,075
Bonds		3,050		0		0		3,050
Certificate of Deposits		0		277,363		0		277,363
Stocks		714,602		0		0		714,602
Preferred Stock		46,750		0		0		46,750
Corporate Bonds		0		866,566		0		866,566
Notes Payable		0		7,080,552		0		7,080,552

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Litigation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation

Note 15 – Litigation

The Company is named a party to lawsuits in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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Restatement Of Consolidated Financial Statements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Schedule of Revisions To Previously Filed Statements

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2012							(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2012							(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated
Income Statement
Net Sales	$	19,397,197	$	—		$	19,397,197	$	39,950,578	$	—		$	39,950,578	$	60,570,311	$	—		$	60,570,311
COGS	$	12,637,386	$	668,381		$	13,305,767	$	25,153,336	$	1,088,149		$	26,241,485	$	38,299,212	$	1,692,406		$	39,991,618
Gross Profit	$	6,759,811	$	(668,381	)	$	6,091,430	$	14,797,242	$	(1,088,149	)	$	13,709,093	$	22,271,099	$	(1,692,406	)	$	20,578,693
Operating Expenses	$	4,887,281	$	(668,381	)	$	4,218,900	$	9,797,959	$	(1,088,149	)	$	8,709,810	$	15,194,607	$	(1,692,406	)	$	13,502,201
Income from Operations	$	1,872,530	$	—		$	1,872,530	$	4,999,283	$	—		$	4,999,283	$	7,076,492	$	—		$	7,076,492

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2011							(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2011							(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated
Income Statement
Net Sales	$	17,303,903	$	—		$	17,303,903	$	35,501,821	$	—		$	35,501,821	$	53,203,425	$	—		$	53,203,425
COGS	$	9,722,230	$	532,856		$	10,255,086	$	22,478,463	$	990,620		$	23,469,083	$	34,047,699	$	1,581,339		$	35,629,038
Gross Profit	$	7,581,673	$	(532,856	)	$	7,048,817	$	13,023,358	$	(990,620	)	$	12,032,738	$	19,155,726	$	(1,581,339	)	$	17,574,387
Operating Expenses	$	4,316,051	$	(532,856	)	$	3,783,195	$	9,057,522	$	(990,620	)	$	8,066,902	$	13,622,185	$	(1,581,339	)	$	12,040,846
Income from Operations	$	3,265,622	$	—		$	3,265,622	$	3,965,836	$	—		$	3,965,836	$	5,533,541	$	—		$	5,533,541

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Helios Nutrition, Ltd., Pride of Main Street, L.L.C., Starfruit, L.L.C., Fresh Made, Inc. and Starfruit Franchisor, L.L.C. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use Of Estimates

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made in preparing the consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation of investment securities, the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets, and deferred taxes.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Sales of Company produced dairy products are recorded at the time of shipment and the following four criteria have been met: (i) The product has been shipped and the Company has no significant remaining obligations; (ii) Persuasive evidence of an agreement exists; (iii) The price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and (iv) Collection is probable. In addition, shipping costs invoiced to the customers are included in net sales and the related cost in cost of sales. Discounts and allowances are reported as a reduction of gross sales unless the allowance is attributable to an identifiable benefit separable from the purchase of the product, the value of which can be reasonably estimated, which would be charged to the appropriate expense account.

Customer Concentration

Customer Concentration

Sales are predominately to companies in the retail food industry, located within the United States of America. Two major customers accounted for approximately 31% percent and 29% percent of gross sales for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These customers accounted for approximately 30% percent and 20% percent of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

The Company maintains cash deposits at several institutions located in the greater Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.

Investments

Investments

All investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Amortization, accretion, interest and dividends, realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are recorded in other income. All of the Company's securities are subject to a periodic impairment evaluation. This evaluation depends on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors that we consider in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include: the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis; the financial condition of the investee; and the intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for possible recovery in the market value of the investment.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable

Credit terms are extended to customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally requires no collateral. Balances expected to be paid beyond one year are classified as long-term.

Accounts receivable are recorded at invoice amounts, and reduced to their estimated net realizable value by recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts. The Company's estimate of the allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated discounts are based upon historical experience, its evaluation of the current status and contract terms of specific receivables, and unusual circumstances, if any. Accounts are considered past due if payment is not made on a timely basis in accordance with the Company's credit terms. Accounts considered uncollectible are charged against the allowance.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property And Equipment

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at depreciated cost or fair value where depreciated cost is not recoverable. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.

Property and equipment is being depreciated over the following useful lives:

Category	Years
Buildings and improvements	31 and 39
Machinery and equipment	5 12
Office equipment	5 7
Vehicles	5

Intangible Assets Acquired In Business Combinations

Intangible assets acquired in business combinations

The Company accounts for intangible assets at historical cost. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded under the purchase method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and other identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually. Brand assets represent the fair value of brands acquired. Brand assets have an indefinite life and therefore are not amortized, rather are reviewed periodically for impairment. The Company amortizes other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, as disclosed in the table below.

The Company reviews intangible assets and their related useful lives at least once per year to determine if any adverse conditions exist that would indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The Company conducts more frequent impairment assessments if certain conditions exist, including: a change in the competitive landscape, any internal decisions to pursue new or different strategies, a loss of a significant customer, or a significant change in the market place including changes in the prices paid for the Company's products or changes in the size of the market for the Company's products.

If the estimate of an intangible asset's remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.

Intangible assets are being amortized over the following useful lives:

Category	Years
Recipes	4
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles	7-10
Lease agreement	7
Trade names	15
Formula	10
Customer relationships	12

Income Taxes

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are the result of temporary differences that arise from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.

The principal sources of temporary differences are different depreciation and amortization methods for financial statement and tax purposes, unrealized gains or losses related to investments, capitalization of indirect costs for tax purposes, purchase price adjustments, and the recognition of an allowance for doubtful accounts for financial statement purposes.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The only periods subject to examination for the Company's federal returns are the 2010 and 2011 tax years. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock

Treasury stock is recorded using the cost method.

Advertising And Promotional Costs

Advertising and promotional costs

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 total advertising expenses were $2,679,798 and $3,156,096, respectively.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share

Earnings per common share were computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted and basic earnings per share were the same, as the effect of dilutive securities options outstanding was not significant.

Correction of Prior Year Amounts

Correction of Prior Year Amounts

Management has revised the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2011 to correct an immaterial error. During 2011, amounts related to production of inventory were not presented as part of cost of goods sold at December 31, 2011 and were erroneously included as general and administrative operating expenses in our previously issued financial statements. This revision resulted in a $1.285 million increase in cost of goods sold and a corresponding decrease in the general and administrative operating expenses.

Additionally, Management has restated the unaudited statements of income and comprehensive income for interim periods during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 for similar errors in our presentation of cost of goods sold and general and administrative operating expenses. (see Note 14).

There was no impact on previously reported net income, consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 5,619,798	$ 2,855,421
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,384,411	2,336,794
Loss (gain) on sale of investments, net	(71,286)	29,256
Loss on disposition of equipment	11,169	20,135
Impairment of investments	0	36,032
Deferred income taxes	(434,896)	68,217
Bad debt expense	435,344	48,240
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable	(1,213,253)	(1,494,790)
Other receivables	215,379	(119,524)
Inventories	(984,711)	(969,101)
Refundable income taxes	(43,512)	865,432
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(17,508)	78,685
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable	(129,514)	202,758
Accrued expenses	601,952	84,466
Income taxes payable	254,311	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,627,684	4,042,021
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(1,452,672)	(2,434,340)
Proceeds from sale of investments	1,475,730	1,810,816
Investments in certificates of deposits	(150,255)	(50,000)
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,428,717)	(1,439,133)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,555,914)	(2,112,657)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds of note payable	250,000	2,000,000
Checks written in excess of bank balances	(592,040)	(749,170)
Purchases of treasury stock	(580,708)	(1,181,428)
Dividends paid	(1,146,317)
Repayment of notes payable	(1,831,626)	(4,113,555)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,900,691)	(4,044,153)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,171,079	(2,114,789)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	1,115,150	3,229,939
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 2,286,226	$ 1,115,150

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Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Financial Condition [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	$ 3,842,756	$ 3,087,940
Common stock, no par value
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	17,273,776	17,273,776
Common stock, shares outstanding	16,346,017	16,409,317

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Provision For Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Provision For Income Taxes [Abstract]

Provision For Income Taxes

Note 10 – PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012			2011
Current:
Federal	$	2,757,332		$	1,059,336
State and local		882,640			850,284
Total current		3,639,972			1,909,620
Deferred		(434,896	)		68,217
Provision for income taxes	$	3,205,076		$	1,977,837

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes and the income tax computed at the statutory rate is as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012						2011
	Amount			Percentage			Amount			Percentage
Federal income tax expense computed at the statutory rate	$	3,000,457			34.0	%	$	1,643,308			34.0	%
State and local tax expense, net		838,363			9.5	%		561,187			11.6	%
U.S. domestic manufacturers' deduction & other permanent differences		(427,525	)		(4.9	)%		(122,837	)		(2.5	)%
Change in tax estimate		(206,219	)		(2.2	)%		(103,821	)		(2.2	)%
Provision for income taxes	$	3,205,076			36.4	%	$	1,977,837			40.9	%

Amounts for deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	December 31,
	2012			2011
Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities) arising from: Temporary differences -
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
from purchase accounting adjustments	$	(3,164,716	)	$	(3,671,285	)
Capital loss carry-forwards		136,198			167,690
Total non-current net deferred tax liabilities		(3,028,518	)		(3,503,595	)
Current deferred tax assets arising from:
Unrealized losses (gain) on investments		(41,260	)		6,890
Impairment of investments		0			15,673
Inventory		265,072			220,408
Allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts		10,875			4,350
Capital loss carry-back		0			91,369
Total current deferred tax assets		234,687			338,690
Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,793,831	)	$	(3,164,905	)

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Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 09, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	LIFEWAY FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000814586
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		16,346,017
Entity Public Float			$ 51,043,898
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Note 11 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Cash paid for interest and income taxes are as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012		2011
Interest	$	191,277	$	232,429
Income taxes	$	3,413,687	$	1,169,334

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Consolidated Statements Of Income And Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 89,754,007	$ 77,122,999
Less: discounts and allowances	(8,402,742)	(7,152,590)
Net Sales	81,351,265	69,970,409
Cost of goods sold	52,295,464	47,151,776
Depreciation expense	1,629,594	1,552,961
Total cost of goods sold	53,925,058	48,704,737
Gross profit	27,426,207	21,265,672
Selling expenses	11,506,707	10,114,902
General and administrative	6,319,972	5,290,446
Amortization expense	754,817	783,833
Total operating expenses	18,581,496	16,189,181
Income from operations	8,844,711	5,076,491
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income	85,383	70,611
Rental income	12,285	7,150
Interest expense	(177,622)	(247,342)
Impairment of investments	0	(36,032)
Gain (loss) on sale of investments, net	71,286	(29,256)
Other Expense	(11,169)	(8,364)
Total other income (expense)	(19,837)	(243,233)
Income before provision for income taxes	8,824,874	4,833,258
Provision for income taxes	3,205,076	1,977,837
Net income	5,619,798	2,855,421
Basic and diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.34	$ 0.17
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	16,373,224	16,442,948
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	5,619,798	2,855,421
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains on investments (net of tax)	102,816	17,616
Less reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (net of taxes)	(40,277)	16,530
Comprehensive income	$ 5,682,337	$ 2,889,567

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Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 5 – INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Finished goods	$	2,462,548	$	1,976,050
Production supplies		2,599,668		2,042,611
Raw materials		876,970		935,814
Total inventories	$	5,939,186	$	4,954,475

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Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

Note 4 – INVESTMENTS

The cost and fair value of investments classified as available for sale are as follows:

December 31, 2012	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Equities	$	639,974	$	90,875	$	( 5,190	)	$	725,659
Corporate Bonds		1,135,064		16,212		( 7,047	)		1,144,229
Total	$	1,775,038	$	107,087	$	( 12,237	)	$	1,869,888

December 31, 2011	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Equities	$	682,569	$	55,244	$	( 23,211	)	$	714,602
Mutual Funds		64,563		3,275		( 713	)		67,125
Preferred Securities		64,452		0		( 17,702	)		46,750
Corporate Bonds		899,298		1,019		( 33,750	)		866,567
Total	$	1,710,882	$	59,538	$	( 75,376	)	$	1,695,044

Proceeds from the sale of investments were $1,475,730 and $1,810,816 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Gross gains of $88,713 and $33,278 and gross losses of $17,427 and $62,534 were realized on these sales during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company's investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
December 31, 2012	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Equities	$	63,620	$	( 3,745	)	$	21,910	$	( 1,445	)	$	85,530	$	( 5,190	)
Corporate Bonds		301,229		( 2,721	)		193,930		( 4,326	)		495,159		( 7,047	)
	$	364,849	$	( 6,466	)	$	215,840	$	( 5,771	)	$	580,689	$	( 12,237	)

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
December 31, 2011	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Equities	$	176,966	$	( 23,211	)	$	0	$	0		$	176,966	$	( 23,211	)
Mutual Funds		0		0			10,585		( 713	)		10,585		( 713	)
Preferred Securities		0		0			46,750		( 17,702	)		46,750		( 17,702	)
Corporate Bonds		626,292		( 24,000	)		90,250		( 9,750	)		716,542		( 33,750	)
	$	803,258	$	( 47,211	)	$	147,585	$	( 28,165	)	$	950,843	$	( 75,376	)

Equities, Mutual Funds, Preferred Securities, and Corporate Bonds -The Company's investments in equity securities, mutual funds, preferred securities, and corporate bonds consist of investments in common stock, preferred stock and debt securities of companies in various industries. As of December 31, 2012, there were two equity securities, one option on equity securities, and four corporate bond securities that had unrealized losses. The Company evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuer in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment. Based on that evaluation and the Company's ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, the Company did not consider any material investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2012.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 16 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2011 the FASB issued ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. FASB ASC Topic 250 amends the existing standards related to annual and interim goodwill impairment tests by allowing companies to consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely or not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before performing the two step impairment review process. It also amends the examples of events or circumstances that would be considered in a goodwill impairment evaluation. The amendment is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011; however, early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements or results of operations.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS." This pronouncement was issued to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2012. Management adopted this statement effective January 1, 2012.

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Stock Award And Stock Option Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock Award And Stock Option Plans [Abstract]

Stock Award And Stock Option Plans

Note 12 – STOCK AWARD AND STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company has a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a Consulting Service Compensation Plan covering up to 1,200,000 of the Company's common stock shares. Pursuant to such Plan, the Company may issue common stock or options to purchase common stock to certain consultants, service providers, and employees of the Company. The option price, number of shares, grant date, and vesting terms are determined at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no stock options outstanding or exercisable. There were approximately 940,000 shares available for issuance under the Plan at December 31, 2012.

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Notes Payable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes Payable [Abstract]

Notes Payable

Note 8 – NOTES PAYABLE

Notes payable consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Note payable to Private Bank in monthly installments of $42,222, plus variable interest rate, currently at 2.709%, with a balloon payment for the remaining balance due February 6, 2014. Collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.	$	5,365,556	$	5,914,445
Line of credit with Private Bank at variable interest rate, currently at 3.25%. The agreement has been extended with terms allowing borrowings up to $2.0 million, maturing on May 31, 2013. Collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.		0		1,000,000
Notes payable to Ford Credit Corp. payable in monthly installments of $1,778.23 at 5.99%, due July 2015, secured by transportation equipment.		50,871		68,509
Note payable to Fletcher Jones of Chicago, Ltd LLC in monthly installments of $1,768.57 at 6.653%, due May 24, 2017, secured by transportation equipment.		82,499		97,598
Total notes payable		5,498,926		7,080,552
Less current maturities		542,981		1,540,716
Total long-term portion	$	4,955,945	$	5,539,836

In accordance with the Private Bank agreements referenced above, the Company is subject to minimum fixed charged ratio and tangible net worth thresholds.

Maturities of notes payables are as follows:

For the Period Ended December 31,
2013	$	542,981
2014		4,896,199
2015		30,787
2016		19,875
2017		9,084
Total	$	5,498,926

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Property And Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property And Equipment [Abstract]

Property And Equipment

Note 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Land	$	1,178,160	$	1,178,160
Buildings and improvements		11,904,919		11,633,077
Machinery and equipment		15,185,204		14,697,024
Vehicles		1,346,078		1,334,628
Office equipment		411,773		383,099
Construction in process		612,468		17,410
		30,638,602		29,243,398
Less accumulated depreciation		15,651,826		14,044,576
Total property and equipment	$	14,986,776	$	15,198,822

Depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $1,629,594 and $1,552,961, respectively.

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Accrued Expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accrued Expenses [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses

Note 7 – ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes	$	356,280	$	209,395
Accrued property tax		302,573		323,885
Other		496,824		20,445
	$	1,155,677	$	553,725

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Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

Note 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases four stores for its Starfruit subsidiary. Total expense for these leases was approximately $379,348 and $240,723 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company is also responsible for additional rent equal to real estate taxes and other operating expenses. Future annual minimum base rental payments for the leases as of December 31, 2012 are approximately as follows:

2013	$	147,318
2014		69,106
2015		45,461
2016		46,825
2017		48,229
Thereafter		49,676
Total	$	406,615

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Summary Of Cash Paid For Interest And Income Taxes

	For the Years Ended
	December 31,
	2012		2011
Interest	$	191,277	$	232,429
Income taxes	$	3,413,687	$	1,169,334

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Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Annual Minimum Base Rental Payments)(Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2013	$ 147,318
2014	69,106
2015	45,461
2016	46,825
2017	48,229
Thereafter	49,676
Total	$ 406,615

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Restatement Of Consolidated Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Restatement Of Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 14 – RESTATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Management concluded that the consolidated statements of income for the year-to-date periods ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, including comparatively presented periods, that were previously included in our Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q filed in 2012 should be restated as a result of erroneous presentation of production activity within general and administrative operating expenses.

These restatements result in increases in cost of goods sold and corresponding decreases in general and administrative operating expenses. These restatements had no impact on our previously reported net income, condensed consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

As detailed in the tables below, these restatements impact the following consolidated statement of income line items

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2012							(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2012							(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated
Income Statement
Net Sales	$	19,397,197	$	—		$	19,397,197	$	39,950,578	$	—		$	39,950,578	$	60,570,311	$	—		$	60,570,311
COGS	$	12,637,386	$	668,381		$	13,305,767	$	25,153,336	$	1,088,149		$	26,241,485	$	38,299,212	$	1,692,406		$	39,991,618
Gross Profit	$	6,759,811	$	(668,381	)	$	6,091,430	$	14,797,242	$	(1,088,149	)	$	13,709,093	$	22,271,099	$	(1,692,406	)	$	20,578,693
Operating Expenses	$	4,887,281	$	(668,381	)	$	4,218,900	$	9,797,959	$	(1,088,149	)	$	8,709,810	$	15,194,607	$	(1,692,406	)	$	13,502,201
Income from Operations	$	1,872,530	$	—		$	1,872,530	$	4,999,283	$	—		$	4,999,283	$	7,076,492	$	—		$	7,076,492

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2011							(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2011							(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated		As Previously Reported		Adjustment			As Restated
Income Statement
Net Sales	$	17,303,903	$	—		$	17,303,903	$	35,501,821	$	—		$	35,501,821	$	53,203,425	$	—		$	53,203,425
COGS	$	9,722,230	$	532,856		$	10,255,086	$	22,478,463	$	990,620		$	23,469,083	$	34,047,699	$	1,581,339		$	35,629,038
Gross Profit	$	7,581,673	$	(532,856	)	$	7,048,817	$	13,023,358	$	(990,620	)	$	12,032,738	$	19,155,726	$	(1,581,339	)	$	17,574,387
Operating Expenses	$	4,316,051	$	(532,856	)	$	3,783,195	$	9,057,522	$	(990,620	)	$	8,066,902	$	13,622,185	$	(1,581,339	)	$	12,040,846
Income from Operations	$	3,265,622	$	—		$	3,265,622	$	3,965,836	$	—		$	3,965,836	$	5,533,541	$	—		$	5,533,541

:

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Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Schedule Of Accumulated Amortization Of Intangible Assets

	December 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Cost		Accumulated Amortization
Recipes	$	43,600	$	43,600	$	43,600	$	43,600
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles		4,504,200		2,025,736		4,504,200		1,546,671
Lease acquisition		87,200		87,200		87,200		87,200
Customer relationship		985,000		526,701		985,000		444,618
Trade names		2,248,000		878,469		2,248,000		728,601
Formula		438,000		281,050		438,000		237,250
	$	8,306,000	$	3,842,756	$	8,306,000	$	3,087,940

Amortization Expense On Future Intangible Assets

2013	$	711,366
2014		711,366
2015		711,367
2016		693,117
2017		667,566
Thereafter		968,460
	$	4,463,242

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Notes Payable (Maturities Of Notes Payable) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Notes Payable [Abstract]
2013	$ 542,981
2014	4,896,199
2015	30,787
2016	19,875
2017	9,084
Total	$ 5,498,926	$ 7,080,552

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Intangible Assets (Amortization Expense On Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Intangible Assets [Abstract]
2013	$ 711,366
2014	711,366
2015	711,367
2016	693,117
2017	667,566
Thereafter	968,460
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	4,463,242	5,218,060
Amortization expense	$ 754,817	$ 783,833

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Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Paid In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Tax [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 6,509,267	$ 2,032,516	$ (6,425,546)	$ 31,575,875	$ (43,094)	$ 33,649,018
Balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2010			737,119
Balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2010	16,536,657
Balance, shares issued at Dec. 31, 2010	17,273,776
Redemption of stock, shares	(127,340)		127,340
Redemption of stock	0	0	(1,181,428)	0	0	(1,181,428)
Issuance of treasury stock for compensation, shares	0
Issuance of treasury stock for compensation	0	0	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes	0	0	0	0	34,146	34,146
Net income	0	0	0	2,855,421	0	2,855,421
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	6,509,267	2,032,516	(7,606,974)	34,431,296	(8,948)	35,357,157
Balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2011			864,459
Balance, shares issued at Dec. 31, 2011	17,273,776					17,273,776
Balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2011	16,409,317					16,409,317
Redemption of stock, shares	63,300		63,300
Redemption of stock	0	0	(580,708)	0	0	(580,708)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes	0	0	0	0	62,539	62,539
Net income	0	0	0	5,619,798	0	5,619,798
Dividends Paid	0	0	0	(1,146,317)	0	(1,146,317)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 6,509,267	$ 2,032,516	$ (8,187,682)	$ 38,904,777	$ 53,591	$ 39,312,469
Balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012			927,759
Balance, shares issued at Dec. 31, 2012	17,273,776					17,273,776
Balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2012	16,346,017					16,346,017

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Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Note 3 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets, and the related accumulated amortization, consist of the following:

	December 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Cost		Accumulated Amortization
Recipes	$	43,600	$	43,600	$	43,600	$	43,600
Customer lists and other customer related intangibles		4,504,200		2,025,736		4,504,200		1,546,671
Lease acquisition		87,200		87,200		87,200		87,200
Customer relationship		985,000		526,701		985,000		444,618
Trade names		2,248,000		878,469		2,248,000		728,601
Formula		438,000		281,050		438,000		237,250
	$	8,306,000	$	3,842,756	$	8,306,000	$	3,087,940

Amortization expense is expected to be approximately the following for the 12 months ending December 31:

2013	$	711,366
2014		711,366
2015		711,367
2016		693,117
2017		667,566
Thereafter		968,460
	$	4,463,242

Amortization expense during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $754,817 and $783,833, respectively.

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Restatement Of Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Sales	$ 19,397,197	$ 17,303,903	$ 39,950,578	$ 35,501,821	$ 60,570,311	$ 53,203,425	$ 81,351,265	$ 69,970,409
Cost of goods sold	13,305,767	10,255,086	26,241,485	23,469,083	39,991,618	35,629,038	52,295,464	47,151,776
Gross profit	6,091,430	7,048,817	13,709,093	12,032,738	20,578,693	17,574,387	27,426,207	21,265,672
Operating Expenses	4,218,900	3,783,195	8,709,810	8,066,902	13,502,201	12,040,846	18,581,496	16,189,181
Income from operations	1,872,530	3,265,622	4,999,283	3,965,836	7,076,492	5,533,541	8,844,711	5,076,491
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Net Sales	19,397,197	17,303,903	39,950,578	35,501,821	60,570,311	53,203,425
Cost of goods sold	12,637,386	9,722,230	25,153,336	22,478,463	38,299,212	34,047,699
Gross profit	6,759,811	7,581,673	14,797,242	13,023,358	22,271,099	19,155,726
Operating Expenses	4,887,281	4,316,051	9,797,959	9,057,522	15,194,607	13,622,185
Income from operations	1,872,530	3,265,622	4,999,283	3,965,836	7,076,492	5,533,541
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Cost of goods sold	668,381	532,856	1,088,149	990,620	1,692,406	1,581,339		1,285,000
Gross profit	(668,381)	(532,856)	(1,088,149)	(990,620)	(1,692,406)	(1,581,339)
Operating Expenses	$ (668,381)	$ (532,856)	$ (1,088,149)	$ (990,620)	$ (1,692,406)	$ (1,581,339)

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Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Investments [Abstract]

Schedule Of Cost And Fair Value Of Available For Sale Investments

December 31, 2012	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
Equities		0		0		0		0
Mutual Funds		0		0		0		0
Preferred Securities		0		0		0		0
Corporate Bonds		0		0		0		0
Total		0		0		0		0

December 31, 2011	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Equities	$	682,569	$	55,244	$	( 23,211	)	$	714,602
Mutual Funds		64,563		3,275		( 713	)		67,125
Preferred Securities		64,452		0		( 17,702	)		46,750
Corporate Bonds		899,298		1,019		( 33,750	)		866,567
Total	$	1,710,882	$	59,538	$	( 75,376	)	$	1,695,044

Schedule Of Gross Unrealized Loss On Investments

Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
December 31, 2012	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Equities		0		0			0		0			0		0
Mutual Funds		0		0			0		0			0		0
Preferred Securities		0		0			0		0			0		0
Corporate Bonds		0		0			0		0			0		0

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Greater					Total
December 31, 2011	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Equities	$	176,966	$	( 23,211	)	$	0	$	0		$	176,966	$	( 23,211	)
Mutual Funds		0		0			10,585		( 713	)		10,585		( 713	)
Preferred Securities		0		0			46,750		( 17,702	)		46,750		( 17,702	)
Corporate Bonds		626,292		( 24,000	)		90,250		( 9,750	)		716,542		( 33,750	)
	$	803,258	$	( 47,211	)	$	147,585	$	( 28,165	)	$	950,843	$	( 75,376	)

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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Property And Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Building And Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	39 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	7 years
Minimum [Member] | Building And Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	31 years
Minimum [Member] | Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life	5 years

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Note 13 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides the framework for measuring fair value.  That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described as follows:

Level 1.  Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2.  Inputs to the valuation methodology include the following:

·   Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

·   Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

·   Inputs other than quoted  prices that are observable for the asset or liability;

·   Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3.  Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset or liability's fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value.  There have been no changes in the methodologies used as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The majority of the Company's short-term investments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company's valuation of its Level 1 investments, which include mutual funds, is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities. The Company's valuation of its Level 2 investments, which include certificates of deposits, is based on other observable inputs, specifically a valuation model which utilized vendor pricing for similar securities.

The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, although the Company believes the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

 

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company's financial assets at fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:

	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash	$	2,286,226	$	0	$	0	$	2,286,226
Certificate of Deposits		0		439,982		0		439,982
Stocks		725,670		0		0		725,670
Corporate Bonds		0		1,144,229		0		1,144,229
Notes Payable		0		5,498,926		0		5,498,926

	Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash	$	1,115,150	$	0	$	0	$	1,115,150
Mutual Funds:
Equity Income		64,075		0		0		64,075
Bonds		3,050		0		0		3,050
Certificate of Deposits		0		277,363		0		277,363
Stocks		714,602		0		0		714,602
Preferred Stock		46,750		0		0		46,750
Corporate Bonds		0		866,566		0		866,566
Notes Payable		0		7,080,552		0		7,080,552

The Company's financial assets and liabilities also include accounts receivable, other receivables and, accounts payable for which carrying value approximates fair value. All such assets are valued using level 2 inputs.