For athletes competing at any level, choosing the right supplements is about more than just performance—it’s about safety, compliance, and peace of mind. Certified for Sport supplements undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are free from banned substances, making them a safer option for athletes subject to anti-doping regulations.
Sports supplements can be at risk of contamination, with studies showing that as many as one in ten products may contain ingredients prohibited in sport. To reduce this risk, independent testing organisations such as
NSF Certified for Sport®,
Informed Sport,
Informed Choice, and
HASTA (Human and Supplement Testing Australia) certify products that meet strict anti-doping standards.
Athletes are ultimately responsible for every substance they consume, so checking for certification logos and batch numbers is crucial. While no supplement is 100% risk-free, batch-tested products provide the lowest possible risk for those who want to stay clean and competitive.
Understanding Supplement Certification Programs
NSF Certified for Sport®
NSF Certified for Sport® is a globally recognised certification program that helps athletes, dieticians, coaches, and consumers make safer decisions when choosing sports supplements. It is the only independent third-party certification recognised by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and the Canadian Football League. It is also recommended by the NFL, NBA, PGA, LPGA, and other major sporting organisations seeking to mitigate the risks of contaminated supplements.
NSF Certified for Sport® ensures that supplements are tested for banned substances, label accuracy, and manufacturing compliance. It has even expanded to include cosmetic and personal care products, giving athletes confidence in topically applied products as well.
Informed Sport & Informed Choice
These quality assurance programs certify supplements that have been tested for banned substances in LGC’s world-class sports anti-doping laboratories. The key difference between them is the frequency of testing:
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Informed Sport: Every batch of a certified product is tested before being released to market.
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Informed Choice: Products are tested at least monthly, ensuring ongoing monitoring of banned substances.
The Informed Sport and Informed Choice logos provide assurance that supplements have undergone strict testing, helping athletes make informed decisions about what they consume.
HASTA Certification
HASTA is the only independent laboratory in Australia that certifies supplements by testing for substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The HASTA certification process involves:
- A formulation review to check for potential contamination risks.
- Verification of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) used in production.
- Mandatory batch testing for all certified products.
Athletes can identify certified products by looking for the HASTA Certified seal on packaging or checking the Sport Integrity app before consuming any supplement.
How to Check if a Supplement is Safe for Sport
To ensure a supplement is safe for use in sport, follow these steps:
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Look for certification logos – NSF Certified for Sport®, Informed Sport, Informed Choice, and HASTA seals indicate that a product has undergone banned-substance testing.
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Check batch numbers – Even certified brands may have different testing statuses across batches. Athletes should verify batch numbers via the respective certification website.
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Use official resources – The Sport Integrity app and WADA’s Prohibited List provide up-to-date information on banned substances.
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Consult a sports nutritionist – If in doubt, seek professional advice to avoid unintentional doping violations.
For competitive athletes, relying on third-party tested supplements is essential to minimise the risk of contamination. ASN’s Certified for Sport supplements collection offers an extra layer of protection, helping athletes maintain their integrity while optimising performance.
