<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001683168-18-001566.txt : 20180531
<SEC-HEADER>0001683168-18-001566.hdr.sgml : 20180531
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180531101105
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001683168-18-001566
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180524
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180531
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180531

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hanson Eric A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001742145

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17363
		FILM NUMBER:		18870302

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O LIFEWAY FOODS
		STREET 2:		6431 OAKTON STREET
		CITY:			MORTON GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60053

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIFEWAY FOODS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000814586
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DAIRY PRODUCTS [2020]
		IRS NUMBER:				363442829
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6431 W OAKTON
		CITY:			MORTON GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60053
		BUSINESS PHONE:		847-967-1010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6431 W OAKTON
		CITY:			MORTON GROVE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60053
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>hanson_f4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>OWNERSHIP DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-05-24</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000814586</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LIFEWAY FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LWAY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001742145</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hanson Eric A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LIFEWAY FOODS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6431 OAKTON STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MORTON GROVE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60053</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Accounting Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6743</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 1,829 shares of vested stock awards and 4,914 shares of time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the Company's 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.  Of such time-based restricted stock, 500 will vest on December 15, 2018; 2,207 will vest on March 14, 2019; and 2,207 will vest on March 14, 2020, contingent on the Reporting Person's continued service on each applicable vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric A. Hanson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-05-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
