Before You Buy
NSF Certified for Sport®
In Store:
- Confirm that the product is labeled with one of these two logos only.
- Scan the supplement label using the NSF Certified for Sport® app to make sure it’s a certified product and lot number.
Online:
- Confirm that the product is labeled with one of these two logos only.
- Search the NSF Certified for Sport® App or the database at NSFSport.com for products you are interested in taking.
- Once you’ve identified a supplement, use the contact information provided for the product to contact the supplement company.
- Inform the supplement company that you want to order an NSF Certified for Sport® product with the certified lot numbers.
- Once you have the product, confirm that the lot number on the product matches the lot number listed in the NSF Certified for Sport® database.
Third-Party Testing Guidance
Many athletes believe supplements are necessary for better performance, but the reality is that supplements aren’t always safe or trustworthy. Labels don’t always tell the full story, and some products have been found to contain hidden or dangerous ingredients like steroids, pharmaceuticals, or research drugs.
These risks are real—athletes have faced serious health problems, positive drug tests, and even career‑changing sanctions from taking mislabeled or contaminated products.
If you choose to use supplements, don’t leave it up to chance. Look for products that have been third‑party certified to be free of prohibited substances. USADA recognizes NSF Certified for Sport® as the program best suited to help athletes reduce these risks
Third-Party Certification FAQ
Click on the question to drop down the answer.
What is third-party certification of dietary supplements?
Third-party certification of dietary supplements is when an organization that is not the supplement company itself (hence, the third-party) evaluates a dietary supplement and vouches for its quality. Certification is distinct from third-party testing, as testing of the finished product is only one component of a good third-party certification program. Third-party certification also includes an audit of the manufacturing process, an evaluation of the product’s quality, and an evaluation of labeling to ensure it is accurate and compliant with regulations.
Why is third-party certification of dietary supplements important?
Dietary supplements are regulated in a post-market fashion, which means that no regulatory body approves the accuracy of the label or safety of the contents before they are sold to consumers. For athletes subject to anti-doping rules, it’s important to know if a supplement is high quality and free from prohibited substances BEFORE use. A thorough third-party certification program that tests for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is an important risk-reduction step for athletes.
Why is USADA recommending a third-party certification company?
If athletes choose to use supplements despite the risks, USADA has always recommended that athletes use only dietary supplements that have been certified by a third-party program that tests for substances prohibited in sport. This fact remains unchanged.
Now, however, USADA recognizes the NSF Certified for Sport® program as meeting the essential criteria for a third-party certifier set forth in a consensus paper and as a program available to athletes to reduce their risk if they choose to use supplements.
As described in the consensus paper, a program should be accredited to ISO 17065, analytical work should be carried out in a laboratory accredited to 17025 with a scope that includes dietary supplements, the program should certify to the ANSI/NSF 173 Dietary Supplement standard, and the program should have a rigorous program of testing for PEDs.
Why did USADA choose to recommend the NSF Certified for Sport® Program?
USADA, in collaboration with the Uniformed Services University (under the Department of Defense), UFC, Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) put forth a consensus paper published by the American College for Sports Medicine on the essential criteria of third-party certification programs for drug tested athletes.
In brief, the program must have appropriate accreditations, be free from conflicts of interest, and must conduct testing for substances prohibited in sport. The NSF Certified for Sport® program currently meets the criteria set forth in the consensus paper. USADA recommends that athletes who choose to use supplements despite the risks can reduce this risk by using supplements that are NSF Certified for Sport®.
Click here to learn more about the NSF Certified for Sport® program.
Reduce your Risk
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