Third-Party Tested Supplements: Why They Matter

Key Points

• Third-party testing helps reduce the risk of choosing a contaminated dietary supplement.
• Independent certification programmes test supplements against recognised standards.
• Third-party testing is important for everyone who uses dietary supplements, not only athletes competing under anti-doping regulations.
• Look for recognised certifications such as Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport®, and Informed Choice when choosing supplements.

What is third-party testing?

Third-party testing is an independent process in which a dietary supplement is assessed by an organisation that has no involvement in manufacturing or selling the product.
Depending on the certification programme, supplements may be tested to verify that they contain the ingredients listed on the label, are free from unacceptable levels of contaminants, and, in the case of sports certification programmes, do not contain substances prohibited in sport.
Because these assessments are carried out independently, they provide greater confidence in the quality and integrity of the product.

Why is third-party testing important?

Unlike medicines, dietary supplements are not required to undergo the same rigorous pre-market testing and approval process before they are sold.
Although many manufacturers produce high-quality supplements, research has shown that some products may contain ingredients that are not listed on the label, different amounts of ingredients than declared, or contaminants introduced during manufacturing.
Choosing supplements that have undergone recognised third-party testing helps reduce these risks and provides greater confidence that the product has been independently assessed.

Is third-party testing only important for athletes?

No. Third-party testing is valuable for anyone who uses dietary supplements.
Whether your goal is improving your health, supporting exercise performance, correcting a nutritional deficiency, or simply ensuring you are purchasing a reliable product, independently tested supplements provide greater confidence in what you are consuming.
For competitive athletes, third-party testing is particularly important because contaminated supplements may contain substances prohibited under anti-doping regulations, even if they are not listed on the product label.

Common third-party certification programmes

Informed Sport

Informed Sport is one of the most widely recognised certification programmes in elite sport. Products certified by Informed Sport undergo batch testing for substances prohibited in sport before they are released for sale. It is trusted by professional teams, sporting organisations, and athletes around the world.

NSF Certified for Sport®

Informed Choice

Informed Choice is another internationally recognised certification programme. Products undergo regular testing and manufacturing facility audits to provide greater confidence in product quality and consistency. It is commonly used by recreationally active individuals as well as competitive athletes.

Does third-party testing mean a supplement works?

No. Third-party testing tells you that a product has been independently tested according to the standards of the certification programme. It does not guarantee that the supplement is effective or that it is appropriate for your individual needs.

Before purchasing any supplement, ask yourself two questions:

• Is there good scientific evidence supporting its use?
• Has it been independently tested by a recognised third-party certification programme?

Ideally, the answer to both questions should be yes.

Key Takeaways

• Third-party testing helps reduce the risk of contamination and inaccurate labelling.
• It is beneficial for everyone who uses dietary supplements, not only elite athletes.
• Look for recognised certification programmes such as Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport®, and Informed Choice.
• A third-party tested supplement is not necessarily an effective supplement. Choose products that are both evidence-based and independently tested.

References

• Maughan RJ, Burke LM, Dvorak J, et al. IOC Consensus Statement: Dietary Supplements and the High-Performance Athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018;52(7):439-455.
• Australian Institute of Sport. AIS Sports Supplement Framework.
• International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Dietary Supplements in Exercise and Sport.
• Informed Sport. Testing and Certification Programme.
• NSF International. NSF Certified for Sport®.
• Informed Choice. Certification Programme.

Professional Note

The content published on this website is based on the latest scientific evidence and established references in sports nutrition. It is intended to provide accurate, reliable, and evidence-based information for athletes and individuals interested in health, nutrition, and performance.
Nutrition and supplement recommendations should always be tailored to an individual’s health status, training demands, and performance goals.
For athletes competing under anti-doping regulations, it is recommended to choose supplements that have undergone recognised third-party testing to minimise the risk of contamination with prohibited substances.