PFI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Muscatine Foods Corporation of Muscatine, IA, manufactures and sells dry blended food products, most notably Thick-It® Instant Food Thickener designed for people who suffer from swallowing problems or dysphagia.

Clearly Superior also services the dysphagia market, producing ready to use thickened beverages under the AquaCareH₂O™ brand.  People with dysphagia need their beverages thickened to minimize choking risks. 

Laurie Berger, MBA, RD, LD, who serves as the Director of Healthcare Initiatives for PFI, describes the Clearly Superior products as “truly revolutionary”.  “I’ve worked in the dysphagia related industry for a decade and the AquaCareH₂O products are by far the best ready to use thickened beverages on the market today.”

That’s no accident.  Doug Stetzer, a scientist and founder of Clearly Superior, spent three years developing the AquaCareH₂O line, intent on producing thickened beverages that were both safe and appealing to consume.  He was on a very personal crusade.

“My grandmother and I were very close.  At age 79, she suffered a series of strokes which impacted her ability to swallow”, explains Stetzer.  “My family and I desperately tried to get her to drink the thickened beverages available at the time but to no avail.  She absolutely refused to take liquids so she became dehydrated which eventually led to her death. I vowed then to develop more appealing thickened beverages so that other chronically ill people would be able to benefit from them.”

Most manufacturers use cornstarch to thicken these beverages, sold primarily to hospitals and nursing homes, but cornstarch causes the beverages, especially water, to appear cloudy.  Stetzer developed a technology using a specialized thickening agent which produces clearer, more vibrant beverages. 

“Beverages that look enticing encourage consumption, notes Berger.  “Staying hydrated is imperative for people with dysphagia, who often are dealing with chronic health conditions, such as Parkinson’s or ALS.”

“This new line, which includes water, coffee and juice, will be marketed alongside our Thick-It products dramatically increasing their exposure and availability nationwide,” emphasized Berger.  “I’m thrilled that soon everyone challenged with dysphagia will have the opportunity to drink thickened beverages that are so much more visually appealing.”

“After all, this is a quality of life issue.  Meal time is meant to be enjoyed.  When dealing with these serious health concerns, you want to be able to provide products that not only allow for a safe swallow but appeal to the senses.  AquaCareH₂O thickened beverages do this and I’m proud to now include them in our arsenal of dysphagia care products.”

For additional information about AquaCareH2O Thickened Beverages, please click here or call 1.800.333.0003

If you’d like to purchase AquaCareH2O, please click here