Cambrooke, a manufacturer of amino acid-based formulas, has recently discovered that their EquaCare Jr. and Essential Care Jr. formulas are less dense than indicated on the label. This has caused the prepared formula, if measured by scoop, to be lower in calories per ounce than stated on the label.
The EquaCare Jr. and Essential Care Jr. formulas are for children with food allergies and digestive disorders. EquaCare Jr. is Cambrooke’s standard amino acid-based formula. Essential Care Jr., their premium formula, is an amino acid-based formula made with natural ingredients, no corn syrup solids, no artificial flavors, and no artificial sweeteners.
Although EquaCare Jr. and Essential Care Jr. formulas are less dense than indicated – making the label mixing instructions by scoop incorrect – the net weight and total calories per pouch are still accurate. This means customers using a gram scale to weigh the formula may continue to follow the existing mixing instructions on the product as labeled.
There have been no changes to the formulation, ingredients, or nutrient levels, and these formulas are safe to consume. To achieve correct formula calorie-per-ounce, follow the mixing instructions provided by Cambrooke below, and/or reach out to your healthcare provider for more information.
Updated Mixing Instructions by Scoop
The net weight and total calories per pouch remains unchanged, and customers using a gram scale may continue to follow the existing mixing instructions on the product as labeled. However, customers using the manufacturer-provided scoop must follow the instructions below in order to make an estimated 30kcal/oz concentration. Shield HealthCare recommends customers discuss this matter with their providers to ensure nutritional needs are met.
If you are currently using EquaCare Jr. formulas (all flavors), or Essential Care Jr. Formulas (all flavors), you can either:
- Gram Scale: Use your current recipe for mixing if using a gram scale which ensures the most accurate measurement, or
- Scoop: Follow the recipe below using the enclosed scoop to make an estimated 30 kcal/oz dilution. Contact your healthcare professional if you are mixing a recipe that is not 30 kcal/oz dilution.
To Mix EquaCare Jr. formulas (all flavors) for 30 kcal/oz:
| Water | Scoops- tapped and leveled (approximate g) | Final Volume (approximate) |
| 4.5 fl. oz (135 mL) | 5 (34 g) | 5.5 fl. oz (165 mL) |
| 9 fl. oz (270 mL) | 10 (68 g) | 11 fl. oz (330 mL) |
To Mix Essential Care Jr. formulas (all flavors) for 30 kcal/oz:
| Water | Scoops-tapped and leveled (approximate g) | Final Volume (approximate) |
| 4.5 fl. oz (135 mL) | 5 (33 g) | 5.5 fl. oz (165 mL) |
| 9 fl. oz (270 mL) | 10 (66 g) | 11 fl. oz (330 mL) |
If you or a loved one consume EquaCare Jr. and Essential Care Jr. formulas, please discuss this update with your healthcare team to ensure your nutritional needs are met.
Manufacturer Next Steps
Cambrooke is taking all necessary steps to ensure that future products are properly labeled and will begin updating the product labels for EquaCare Jr. and Essential Care Jr. formulas in August 2023. In the interim, Cambrooke is inserting letters in the boxes of impacted products with the updated mixing instructions. If you have any questions about this labeling change, please contact Cambrooke at:
Email: support@cambrooke.com
Phone: 1-833-377-2773
To discuss your caloric needs, and for other nutrition-related questions regarding yourself or your loved ones, please reach out to your healthcare providers for more information.
