Sec Form 4 Filing - SMOLYANSKY LUDMILA @ Lifeway Foods, Inc. - 2022-12-12

FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person SMOLYANSKY LUDMILA 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol Lifeway Foods, Inc. [ LWAY] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) X __ Director X __ 10% Owner _____ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) (Last) (First) (Middle) C/O LIFEWAY FOODS, INC., 6431 OAKTON STREET 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 12/12/2022 (Street) MORTON GROVE, IL60053 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock, no par value 12/12/2022 S 20,000 D $ 6.68( 1 ) 2,398,120 I See footnote( 3 ) Common Stock, no par value 12/13/2022 S 10,000 D $ 6.86( 2 ) 2,388,120 I See Footnote( 3 ) Common Stock, no par value 27,343 I See Footnote( 4 )

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares Restricted Stock Units ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 5 ) Common Stock 4,800 4,800 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other SMOLYANSKY LUDMILA C/O LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. 6431 OAKTON STREET MORTON GROVE, IL60053 X X Signatures /s/ Ludmila Smolyansky 12/13/2022 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

( 1 )The reported price is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $6.62 to $6.73 per share, inclusive. The holder undertakes to provide to the issuer, any security holder of the issuer, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon written request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the range set forth in this footnote. ( 2 )The reported price is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $6.75 to $6.98 per share, inclusive. The holder undertakes to provide to the issuer, any security holder of the issuer, or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon written request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the range set forth in this footnote. ( 3 )Held by the Ludmila Smolyansky Trust 2/1/05, of which Ludmila Smolyansky is the trustee. ( 4 )Held by The Smolyansky Family Foundation, of which Ludmila Smolyansky is the trustee ( 5 )Each restricted stock unit has a value equal to one share of common stock. Of such restricted stock units, 1,600 will vest on each of August 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, contingent on the Reporting Person's continued service as a Director on each applicable vesting date. The issuance of shares upon vesting of the restricted stock units is dependent on receipt by the Company of consent and agreement by DanoneWave PBC ("Danone") that such issuance will not constitute a breach of violation of or constitute "New Securities" under that certain Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1999, by and among the Corporation, Danone, Michael Smolyansky and the other stockholders of the Corporation listed therein, as amended by that certain letter agreement dated September 24, 1999 and as further amended from time to time.

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

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