Fresh Take: Inside The Family Drama At Kefir Brand Lifeway
I'm back from a much-needed vacation, with an important investigation publishing while I was away. Did you catch my feature on the chaos at kefir brand Lifeway? It's a must-read saga, and I'll give you a taste of why:
Lifeway is a business with a unique backstory:
But now their American Dream story of success has turned into a nightmare. Recent unsolicited bids from Danone, a longtime investor in Lifeway, are the culmination of years of acrimony between Smolyansky and Danone, which Lifeway accuses of a host of nefarious behavior aimed at undermining the business including blocking the Illinois-based company from expanding internationally and refusing to help it source cheaper raw ingredients. Danone denies these criticisms, and there's a lot of layers to this story. Smolyansky calls Danone 'predatory' and says she believes a Danone takeover could ruin the family business—and recipe—that she's fought so hard to preserve.
Tell me what you think after reading! Working on it even got me inspired to add more fermented foods like kefir into my diet. Kefir devotees claim a long list of benefits, including from immune support and help with weight loss to improved skin, hair and gut health. And I'll report, I've been enjoying my time on the kefir train so far.
On that note, I'm excited to soon unveil a refresh for this newsletter. I'll be back with the next edition, featuring the new format, on April 30. Until then, enjoy spring!
— Chloe Sorvino, Staff Writer
This is Forbes' Fresh Take newsletter, which every Friday brings you the latest on the big ideas changing the future of food. Want to get it in your inbox every week? Sign up here.
Chloe Sorvino
A plate of the best lechon I've ever had, from my vacation last week in Puerto Rico, what many consider the world's oldest colony. Here at the iconic lechoneria, El Rancho de Apa, every bite was bliss. As were the accompaniments: beans, rice, escabeche yucca and the coldest Medalla beer maybe ever recorded.
Thanks for reading the 140th edition of Forbes Fresh Take! Let me know what you think. Subscribe to Forbes Fresh Take here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
11 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Axiscades surges over 8% in 2 days after Rs 600 crore defence order win
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on July 31, 2025, 09:38 IST Shares of Axiscades Technologies Ltd jumped another 2.58% to ₹1,333 on Wednesday, adding to Tuesday's 5% upper circuit rally, as investor sentiment remained buoyant following a major defence order win worth ₹600 crore. The Bengaluru-based engineering solutions provider announced that it had secured fresh orders in the defence sector involving the development and supply of advanced sub-systems for several cutting-edge indigenous platforms. The projects are to be executed in collaboration with leading defence agencies such as DRDO and Defence PSUs, and will be fulfilled over the next 3 to 5 years through the company's defence-focused subsidiaries. Strong Defence Pipeline Fuels Investor Optimism The company said the ₹600 crore cumulative order value represents a significant leap in its defence capabilities and future revenue pipeline. 'Our partnerships on these critical programs reflect our core strength in high-performance radar, sonar, and signal processing electronics,' said C Manikandan, Chief Technical Officer at Axiscades. 'We are contributing to indigenous platforms that will define the future of India's Defence preparedness.' In June, Axiscades Aerospace and Technologies, a subsidiary of the company, signed an agreement with European missile systems giant MBDA to establish a dedicated defence facility in Karnataka. This facility will be equipped with labs, test benches, and infrastructure to support MBDA's advanced systems engineering. Stock Performance Stock Price (July 31, 9:30 AM): ₹1,333.00 2-Day Surge: Over 8% (Tuesday's 5% upper circuit + Wednesday's 2.58%) (Tuesday's 5% upper circuit + Wednesday's 2.58%) Market Cap: ₹56.90 billion ₹56.90 billion P/E Ratio: 77.76 77.76 52-week range: ₹420.90 – ₹1,506.50 With strong fundamentals, a robust order pipeline, and rising defence sector visibility, Axiscades is quickly becoming a key player in India's strategic technology ecosystem. Let me know if you'd like a social post, graphic, or email headline version too. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump suspends de minimis exemption for low-value imports
President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending what's known as a de minimis exemption allowing low-value parcels that are shipped to the United States to avoid tariffs. The White House said it's closing what it called a "catastrophic loophole" that shippers use to "evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids or below-market products" into the U.S. The order goes into effect Aug. 29. The exemption had applied to parcels valued at $800 or less, and allowed overseas retailers to ship inexpensive goods to consumers in the U.S. tax-free. "President Trump is putting an end to the proliferation of shippers worldwide that, among other things, deceptively exploit the de minimis privilege in an effort to evade duties, inspection, and U.S. law," the White House said in a fact sheet outlining the new policy. Mr. Trump in May ended the de minimis loophole for imports from China and Hong Kong, which had allowed retailers like Shein and Temu to ship ultra low-cost apparel and other goods to U.S.-based consumers at bargain-basement prices. Shipments from China and Hong Kong account for most de minimis shipments to the U.S. according to the White House. The de minimis provision, which was added to the Tariff Act of 1930 several years after that law's passage, was intended to facilitate trade by eliminating the administrative burden of collecting modest import duties on low-cost goods. The number of low-value parcels entering the U.S. has surged over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025, that figure jumped from 134 million shipments per year to nearly 1.4 billion. Customs and Border Patrol processes more than 4 million de minimis shipments to the U.S. daily, according to the White House. Retailers such as Shein and Temu were forced to scramble when the loophole for imports from China and Hong Kong was suspended earlier this year. China-based Temu halted shipments of Chinese goods to American customers and shifted to only selling products to U.S. shoppers that could be sourced from the company's U.S. warehouses. Watch: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green gives update on tsunami warning Forensics expert analysis of Jeffrey Epstein jail video contradicts government's claims Russia reacts to Trump's new deadline on Ukraine ceasefire
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Final Winners Announced in The Great Twine Round-Up Contest in Alberta (2024-2025)
LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cleanfarms is excited to announce the final winners of The Great Twine Round-Up contest (2024-2025), celebrating Alberta farmers and 4-H clubs that took action to collect and return used agricultural plastic baler twine for recycling. The contest which ran for seven months, wrapped up on May 31, 2025, saw an impressive total of 660 entries and 33 unique participants across all categories. This strong community engagement resulted in the collection of an estimated 16,500 kg of twine, demonstrating significant environmental impact. The contest featured two prize draws throughout the collection period. Prizes are distributed to winning 4-H clubs, and an additional independent entrant who will direct their prize to an Alberta-based charity. Participants who didn't win in an early-bird draw conducted in January 2025 were automatically eligible for the final draw. Let's celebrate our final draw winners: Individual Category ($3,000) 4-H Club Category ($3,000 each) Early-bird 4H Club ($3000) Every participant stood out for their commitment to sustainability, helping divert agricultural twine from landfills and ensuring it was recycled properly. 'This contest shows the real impact Alberta's farm communities can make when they come together to protect the environment,' said Barry Friesen, Executive Director, at Cleanfarms. 'We're pleased with the participation and proud to support these leaders in agricultural recycling.' This initiative was led by the multi-stakeholder Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG), with funds granted by the Government of Alberta and administered by Alberta Beef Producers. 'The Great Twine Roundup was a success, both in terms of increased twine collection volumes but more importantly, in encouraging farmers to try twine recycling,' says Assar Grinde, cow/calf producer and Chair of the APRG. 'Taking that first step, of putting your clean twine in a recycling bag rather than the garbage for the first time, is often the most difficult part. The strong participation from 4-H clubs and individual entrants shows the Great Twine Roundup is a model for how targeted engagement can translate into positive environmental outcomes in Alberta.' The Great Twine Round-Up is part of Cleanfarms' national effort to help Canadian farmers manage ag plastics responsibly. With the positive outcomes observed this year, the return of the contest in 2025–2026 would be welcomed, should government funding become available. To learn more about ag plastic recycling programs and how to participate next year, visit . About APRG The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Group (APRG) formed in 2016 to find solutions for agricultural plastics. The APRG is made up of partners including commodity groups, retailers, municipalities, academic institutions, recyclers, and farmers. It is now focused on the transition of the pilot into a permanent program as well as exploring solutions for other ag plastics such as bale wrap and silage plastic. . About Cleanfarms Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Media Contact Catherine Lecomte, Media Relations and Digital Communications Coordinator | lecomtec@ | (236) 202-3580 Ext. 2249 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
