HYDRA+ Thickened Beverages in Canada
HYDRA+ is a ready-to-drink line of pre-thickened juices, milk and flavoured water made for people with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Each 1 litre carton is thickened to a fixed IDDSI level, so care staff serve a consistent, safe consistency without mixing powder. Chicken Pieces stocks HYDRA+ by the case of 12 and by the single carton, shipped across Canada from Calgary, Alberta.
HYDRA+ is ordered by long-term care homes, hospitals, retirement residences, home-care agencies and families caring for someone with dysphagia after a stroke, with Parkinson's disease, dementia, or other swallowing disorders. Because the drinks come pre-thickened, they remove the guesswork and time of thickening at the bedside.
HYDRA+ is available in IDDSI Level 2 (Mildly Thick) and IDDSI Level 3 (Moderately Thick). IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) is the global framework used by Canadian speech-language pathologists and dietitians to prescribe safe drink thickness. Always serve the level prescribed for the individual.
| Product | IDDSI level | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|
| HYDRA+ Thickened Orange Juice 1 L | Level 2 and Level 3 | Case of 12, single carton |
| HYDRA+ Thickened Apple Juice 1 L | Level 2 and Level 3 | Case of 12, single carton |
| HYDRA+ Thickened Cranberry Juice 1 L | Level 2 and Level 3 | Case of 12, single carton |
| HYDRA+ Thickened Milk 1 L | Level 2 and Level 3 | Case of 12, single carton |
| HYDRA+ Thick Lemon Water 1 L | Level 2 and Level 3 | Case of 12, single carton |
Unopened cartons are shelf-stable and do not need refrigeration until opened. Once opened, refrigerate and use within the period printed on the carton. Serve chilled or at room temperature; do not add ice or dilute, as this changes the thickness level.
IDDSI, the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative, grades drink thickness from Level 0 (thin) to Level 4 (extremely thick). Level 2, mildly thick, was formerly called nectar thick and flows off a spoon quickly but slower than water; it passes the IDDSI flow test with 4 to 8 mL left in the syringe after 10 seconds. Level 3, moderately thick, was called honey thick and drips slowly off a spoon without holding shape, leaving more than 8 mL in the syringe. A speech-language pathologist prescribes the level after a swallowing assessment. HYDRA+ is sold pre-thickened at both Level 2 and Level 3.
Pre-thickened drinks such as HYDRA+ are mixed at the factory to an exact IDDSI level, so every carton is the same thickness and no staff measuring is needed. Thickener powder is added by hand to juice, water or coffee and the result varies with stirring time, temperature and the base drink, which is the most common cause of wrong-consistency drinks in care homes. Powder has a longer dry shelf life of 24 to 36 months versus 9 to 12 months for pre-thickened cartons, and lower cost per serving, but pre-thickened is preferred wherever consistency errors are a safety risk.
HYDRA+ is packed in 1 L Tetra Pak cartons that are shelf stable for 12 months unopened at room temperature. Once opened, a carton is refrigerated and used within 10 days; write the opening date on the carton. Serve chilled or at room temperature, and do not freeze or heat, since both change the viscosity. Cartons are sold 12 per case for facilities and as single cartons for home trial. One carton is about four 250 mL servings.
HYDRA+ thickened beverages are available in orange juice, apple juice, cranberry cocktail, lemon-flavoured water and milk, each at IDDSI Level 2 and Level 3. All varieties are gluten-free and Kosher certified, and the juices contain no artificial colours. The milk variety provides protein and calcium for residents on thickened fluids who cannot drink regular milk. The range covers the drinks most often refused when hand-thickened, which helps care homes meet daily fluid targets of 1.5 to 2 L per resident.
HYDRA+ in Canada
HYDRA+ is a ready-to-drink line of pre-thickened juices, milk and flavoured water made for people with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Each 1 litre carton is thickened to a fixed IDDSI level, so care staff serve a consistent, safe consistency without mixing powder. Chicken Pieces stocks HYDRA+ by the case of 12 and by the single carton, shipped across Canada from Calgary, Alberta. Shipping is a flat $16.50 anywhere in Canada and free on orders over $199 before tax. Orders are processed in 2 to 3 business days (cut-off 10:00 AM MST, Monday to Friday) and Canadian transit takes 2 to 6 business days. We also ship to the United States, with duties and taxes shown at checkout.