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Lifeway KEFIR cultured lowfat milk
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Kefir

Lifeway KEFIR cultured lowfat milk

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in sugar
  • Contains added sugars
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 42

Lifeway KEFIR cultured lowfat milk scores 42 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Added sugars 3.8 g / 100 ml: High in sugar. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better kefir and yogurt drinks

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

KEFIR cultured lowfat milk

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Pectin
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [5][4]
subtotal−25

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Added sugars 3.8 g / 100 ml
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 1.5 g / 100 ml
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [6]
  • Salt 0.3 g / 100 ml
    Strong Contains some salt. [7]
  • Energy 140 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
subtotal−12.5
TOTAL 42Okay

100 − 58.5 = 41.5 → 42

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]

GTIN 00017077103329 · 2026-04-23

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy140 kcal
Fat2 g
Saturated fat1.5 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates18 g
Sugars18 g
Added sugars3.8 g
Fiber0 g
Protein10 g
Salt0.3 g

Serving: 1 cup (240 ml)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Pasteurized Lowfat Milk, Nonfat Milk, Cane Sugar, Pectin, Natural Strawberry Flavor, Natural Flavors, Red Beet Juice (for Color), Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3, Live and Active Cultures.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest kefir in the US

More from Lifeway

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  6. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  7. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  8. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  9. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  10. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org