MORTON GROVE, Ill.-Lifeway Foods, Inc., has acquired Helios Nutrition Limited, its top competitor in the kefir market with a No. 2 overall market share and a No. 1 position in the organic category. The acquisition strengthens Lifeway's presence in the rapidly growing market for organic dairy products, provides a steady supply of organic milk through Helios' organic dairy subsidiary.

"The major catalyst behind this acquisition is the growing demand for organic dairy products," said Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky. "We now have the No. 1 share in this market, combining both the top Helios brand and our own very strong organic SKUs."