Mars Petcare Australia
Advance Pet Food
Headquarters: Wodonga, Victoria, Australia • Founded: 1998
Moderate Caution
Advance is one of Australia's premier veterinary-recommended pet nutrition brands manufactured at Mars Petcare's Bathurst, NSW facility. The brand experienced a historic 2018 voluntary recall of its Dermocare dry kibble line following an outbreak of acquired megaesophagus.
Total Recalls on Record
1
Last Action Date
March 2018
Species Covered
Dogs & Cats
Safety Verification
Regulatory Verified
Interactive “Check My Bag” Lot Code Inspector
Verify your specific kibble or canned Advance Pet Food lot number against official FDA dockets.
Recall Archive & Docket History (Advance Pet Food)
AU-ACCC-2018-03•March 24, 2018
Nutritional Imbalance: Severe Acquired Canine Megaesophagus
Official FDA Docket Finding: Advance Dermocare dry dog food was linked to severe acquired megaesophagus (neuromuscular esophagus enlargement preventing food swallowing) across Victoria and New South Wales canine populations.
Recalled Lots & Product Details:
| Product Name | Packaging Size | Affected Lot Codes | Best-By Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Dermocare Dry Dog Food | 3kg, 8kg, and 15kg bags | All batch sequences manufactured at Bathurst facility in 2017/2018 | All dates between March 2018 and March 2019 |
Clinical Symptoms to Monitor:
- Regurgitation of food and water
- Severe weight loss
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Difficulty swallowing
Consumer Return & Refund Protocol:
- Immediately stop feeding Advance Dermocare kibble.
- Consult an emergency veterinarian if your dog regurgitates food or coughs after eating.
- Return packaging to place of purchase for full manufacturer refund.
Veterinary Health & Triage Tools for Advance Pet Food Owners
Suspect a Problem or Illness from Advance Pet Food?
Pet owners can submit formal complaint reports directly to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Keep your packaging, lot code, and veterinary records intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Advance Pet Food Recalls
Verified regulatory answers to common pet parent questions regarding manufacturing and safety.
Yes. Mars Petcare Australia voluntarily recalled Advance Dermocare in March 2018 due to its association with canine megaesophagus. All other Advance lines remained unaffected.
Official FDA Public Safety Notice: PawTrusty is an independent consumer pet health directory that indexes public enforcement reports published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state agricultural departments. PawTrusty is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Advance Pet Food or the FDA. If your pet exhibits acute symptoms of foodborne illness, contact a licensed veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately.