Cover - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jul. 06, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	000-17363
Entity Registrant Name	LIFEWAY FOODS, INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000814586
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-3442829
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	IL
Entity Address, Address Line One	6431 West Oakton St
Entity Address, City or Town	Morton Grove
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60053
City Area Code	(847)
Local Phone Number	967-1010
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, No Par Value
Trading Symbol	LWAY
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 21,142,470
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,473,269
Auditor Firm ID	199
Auditor Name	Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
Auditor Location	Chicago, Illinois