A process for thickening a liquid food comprises admixing an effective amount of an aqueous concentrate thickener composition with a liquid food which is capable of being thickened by a concentrate thickener composition. Preferably, the aqueous thickener concentrate is contained in a package and consists essentially of fully hydrated xanthan gum and water in a concentration suitable for thickening a portion of liquid food to facilitate its consumption by a person with dysphagia. A method of preparing the packaged aqueous concentrate thickener comprises preparing the aqueous concentrate thickener composition and packaging the aqueous concentrate thickener in packages suitable for sending the packaged aqueous concentrate thickener to a locale of a person with dysphagia.