Lifeway kefirs go low-carb
of kefirs with a new line of no-added-sugar dairy drinks for
consumers following low-carbohydrate diets. The new beverages will
be showcased at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City (27-29
June), and will be available in stores later this year.
Lifeway's low-carb probiotic dairy drinks will be available in strawberries n'cream, mixed berry, tropical fruit and strawberry-banana flavors as well as in an original, unsweetened version. They will contain eight grams of carbohydrates and two and a half grams of fat per each eight ounce serving.
"Low-carbohydrate diets have demonstrated impressive staying power and we have had a growing number of requests for a no-added-sugar flavored kefir to meet the needs of consumers who follow a low-carb regime or are diabetic," said Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky.
"We expect the low-carb beverages to attract new customers and help us retain existing kefir drinkers who are looking for a low-carb alternative," she added.
Lifeway boosted operating profits in the first quarter of 2004 despite the strong increase in the cost of its primary ingredient, milk.
The firm, which saw sales climb 19 per cent to $3.93 million in the first quarter, also achieved a 24 per cent rise in gross profit while operating income rose 50 per cent to $953,852 from $637,980 in 2003.
Edward Smolyansky, the Lifeway controller, noted that milk costs "were about 20 per cent higher when compared to the 2003 first quarter" and this contributed to an overall increase of 15 per cent in the cost of goods during the period.
However he added: "We feel comfortable we can continue to maintain strong margins, even in an environment of rising milk prices and an overall increase in the cost of doing business."
