Lifeway, Dannon Enter Agreement

Lifeway, Dannon Enter Agreement

MORTON GROVE, Ill.--Lifeway Foods and Dannon Foods Inc. entered into asupport agreement that will allow Lifeway access to Dannon's [the United Statessubsidiary of Paris-based Groupe Danone] U.S. brokers and distributors.

The access will give Lifeway a market advantage, according to its presidentand chief executive officer, Michael Smolyansky. Pursuant to the agreement,Groupe Danone is the beneficial owner of 20 percent of the outstanding shares ofLifeway's common stock. In addition, the president, chief executive officer anddirector of Dannon Foods, Thomas Kunz, was appointed to Lifeway's board ofdirectors.