Functional firm founder dies

USA – Michael Smolyansky, founder and chief executive of Illinois-based Lifeway Foods, died on Sunday aged 55.

Lifeway foods makes kefir, a soy-based yogurt drink as well as other cultured and probiotic foods.

The company was founded in 1986 and went public in 1989. The firm’s second largest stakeholder is French food giant Danone, which holds a 20% share. The Smolyansky family holds a controlling 51% stake.