---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001683168-23-003639"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "LWAY"
cik: "0000814586"
company_name: "Lifeway Foods, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-05-22T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-14T18:56:35.116306+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Lifeway Foods director Ludmila Smolyansky resigns, cites disagreement; company refutes

## Summary
- Ludmila Smolyansky resigned from Lifeway board on May 16, 2023, citing disagreement with board over business/management opinions.
- Company disputes her characterizations; highlights net sales grew 51% from FY2019 to FY2022 (14.8% CAGR) and record revenue in 2022.
- Q1 2023 net sales up 11.2% YoY; gross profit margin improved 530 bps YoY.
- Under July 2022 Settlement Agreement, vacancy remains until nominee from Smolyansky & son is appointed after qualification.
- Smolyansky was nominated for reelection at 2023 Annual Meeting; no changes to proxy statement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001683168-23-003639
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: LWAY
- cik: 0000814586
- company_name: Lifeway Foods, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-05-22T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/814586/000168316823003639/0001683168-23-003639-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/814586/000168316823003639/lifeway_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-23-003639
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-23-003639.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-23-003639.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.