Performance and health go hand in hand, and the right supplements can make all the difference. But we’ve all walked into a nutrition store, faced with towering shelves of products claiming to be the “cleanest” or “healthiest.” As the supplement market grows, it’s more crucial than ever to recognize which products have undergone third-party certification to ensure you’re choosing the safest option.
One of the best ways to ensure you buy a safe supplement is to look for reputable third-party certifications. Third-party certifications provide an additional layer of quality assurance since many supplements in the market may contain undisclosed ingredients and contaminants.
Whenever you buy a supplement without third-party certification, you risk the chance that it contains prohibited substances or ingredients that cause health problems. Plus, purchasing a product from a “reputable” online nutrition store is also no guarantee. It is important to realize that the internet is filled with illegal supplements that contain prohibited and harmful substances.
In this blog, we’ll break down some top certifications and explain what they mean.
NSF Certified for Sport
The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) is one of the most trusted names for supplement testing. While professional teams and athletes are not required to use NSF-certified supplements, many prioritize these products to reduce the risk of contamination or banned substances. A program run by the NSF called NSF Certified for Sport tests and certifies nutritional supplements used by athletes in Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), the Professional Golf Association (PGA), the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).
Products that carry the NSF Certified for Sport label undergo rigorous screening, ensuring they meet the company’s certification standards.
- It contains what it claims on the label.
- It is free from substances banned by major sports organizations, ensuring compliance with their regulations.
- Has been tested for contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides.
“We recommend that athletes who choose to use supplements despite the risks can reduce this risk by using supplements that are Certified for Sport,” said a spokesperson from The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on the NSF website.
NSF tests products batch by batch, ensuring that every batch meets the same standards. This level of scrutiny can provide athletes with peace of mind, knowing that what they’re putting in their bodies is safe.
BSCG (Banned Substances Control Group) Certification
The Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) is another key player in supplement certification, particularly for competitive athletes. Founded by renowned anti-doping expert Dr. Don Catlin, BSCG takes an intensive approach to product testing. Their process involves:
- Screening for more than 500 drugs, including substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
- Testing includes prescription drugs not listed on the Prohibited List, as they could still pose significant health risks.
- Ensuring that the product is of high quality and free from contaminants.
On the website, BSCG states, “The supplement industry is fraught with risks, including contamination and the presence of banned substances. Leaders in supplement safety set stringent guidelines to protect athletes from these risks, ensuring that products are safe, effective, and free from prohibited substances.”
In addition to the BSCG Drug-Free certification, the company offers testing programs for quality control, CBD, and manufacturing seals.
Informed-Sport: Endorsed by the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD)
Informed-Sport is a globally recognized supplement program endorsed by the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD). It is a popular choice for athletes who must adhere to clean sport regulations.
LGC ASSURE, an international leader in life sciences testing, manages the program. They follow a comprehensive four-stage certification process to ensure products meet the highest standards of batch testing.
Here’s a quick outline of the four-step process:
Stage One: Product & Manufacturing Review
- Receive certification agreement and guidelines.
- Submit product labels for logo approval.
- Assess product branding, ingredients, and manufacturing facility standards.
- Complete paper-based review of manufacturing procedures.
Stage Two: Pre-Certification Sample Testing
- Send product samples to the lab for prohibited substance testing.
Stage Three: Product Supplement Certification, Logo Use, and Web Listing
- Receive certification, logo use guidelines, and website listing of r certified products.
Stage Four: Post-Certification Requirements and Testing
- Test every batch before release and conduct blind retail testing; update product and facility review regularly.
With over 3,000 certified products across 127 countries and more than 20,000 samples tested annually, Informed-Sport certification signifies that a product meets the stringent demands of sports nutrition manufacturing and quality assurance.
Human and Supplement Testing Australia (HASTA): Australia’s Batch Testing Standard
Human and Supplement Testing Australia (HASTA) is Australia’s leading supplement certification body and is the only laboratory in Australia able to provide independent certification of sports supplements by testing for WADA-prohibited substances.
Additionally, HASTA is the first laboratory in Australia to test and certify sports supplements for professional athletes that was conducted by a professional drug testing company.
Athletes subject to drug testing in Australian sports often look for the HASTA logo to confirm the supplements (s) they use are safe and compliantwith Prohibited Lists.
HASTA’s comprehensive sports supplement screening test covers over 250 WADA-prohibited substances, providing an added layer of security for athletes competing at the national or international level. Below is a list of WADA’s prohibited classes that HASTA tests for:
- Anabolic agents
- Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances & mimetics
- Beta-2 agonists
- Hormone & metabolic modulators
- Diuretics & masking agents
- Stimulants
- Narcotics
- Cannabinoids
- Glucocorticoids
- Beta-blockers
HASTA-certified supplements give athletes the confidence to choose products that support their performance while safeguarding their reputation.
HASTA also offers independent batch testing services for clubs, teams, and sporting associations, adding an extra layer of assurance. Ensuring your athletes use only HASTA-certified supplements, you help protect them against the accidental intake of banned substances.
Why Some Companies Don’t Seek Certifications
Not all companies pursue third-party sports certifications primarily because of cost and relevance. If a company’s consumers are not drug-tested athletes, pursuing expensive sports certifications may not be worth the additional expense for someone pursuing general health goals.
For example, brands like Thorne, Nordic Natural, and Designs for Health have product lines that are sport-certified and non-sport-certified, strategically targeting different market segments.
In addition to the cost, companies must maintain the certification through continuous batch testing. These added expenses can drive up product prices, and the stringent testing may only be justified if the target market requires it. Instead, companies may rely on third-party testing for quality control without seeking a formal certification, focusing on reputation and proven outcomes rather than a certification label. This approach works particularly well for companies whose customers trust them based on brand history, ingredient transparency, and performance results rather than the need for anti-doping assurances.
Recognizing False Labels and Fake Supplements
Unfortunately, not all labels you see on supplements are trustworthy. Some products may feature fake certifications or misleading claims about their contents. Here are a few tips to help you spot a counterfeit supplement:
- Check the certifying body’s website: Always verify that the product is listed on the certification organization’s website. If a product claims to be NSF, BSCG, or Informed-Sport certified but doesn’t appear on the respective site, it’s likely fake.
- Look for batch numbers: Trusted certifications like HASTA provide batch-specific numbers that you can verify online. If the supplement you’re purchasing doesn’t provide this information, it may not be legitimate.
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true claims: Promises of extreme results or miraculous health benefits should be a red flag. Legitimate supplements provide information backed by research, avoiding exaggerated or misleading statements.
- Inspect the packaging: Authentic-certified supplements will have clear, professional labeling. Poor-quality packaging, misspelled words, or blurry logos can indicate a counterfeit product.
- Buy from trusted retailers: To minimize the risk of purchasing fake supplements, stick to well-known supplement retailers, buy directly from the manufacturer’s website, or consult a pharmacist for recommendations on reputable supplements and quality manufacturers.
In an industry flooded with questionable products, knowing how to authenticate your supplements is key to protecting your health and performance. When it comes to selecting safe supplements, third-party certification is crucial.
Third-party certification ensures that a product has been tested for safety and compliance with industry standards. With so many supplements on the market, it’s essential to know how to identify those that carry trusted third-party certifications.
Check out our Clean Sport Resources tab for more information on the Clean Sport process, educational materials, and the importance of preserving the spirit of sport by promoting fair competition and integrity.
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Written by Jessie Tobin, MA, BA
After receiving her master’s in professional communication, Jessie began her professional career at a healthcare technology startup, where she managed all content writing, paid media, email marketing and partner relationships. She is deeply passionate about using storytelling to build strong emotional connections between brands and their audiences, a skill she has refined through her YouTube channel, which has over 17 million views. Aside from copywriting, she shares her expertise as a professor at The University of Tampa.