May 13, 2025

The Power of Trust: Why Third-Party Tested Supplements Matter

By Meredith Giles, MS, RD, LD

Written by an American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association Registered Dietitian (RD). To learn more about sports nutrition and ASPDA, go to www.sportsrd.org.  

In the world of sports, athletes and coaches alike are always seeking ways to optimize performance, accelerate recovery, and gain a competitive edge. Supplements can be a valuable tool in this pursuit—but only when they are safe, effective, and free from banned substances. That’s where third-party testing becomes crucial.

Why Third-Party Testing Matters

The supplement industry is not as tightly regulated as pharmaceuticals. This means that products can be brought to market without prior approval from the FDA, and what’s on the label may not always match what’s in the bottle. In some cases, supplements may contain banned substances, harmful contaminants, or ineffective dosages.

For competitive athletes—especially those governed by organizations like the NCAA, NFL, MLB, or Olympic committees—the risk of accidental ingestion of a banned substance can result in failed drug tests, loss of eligibility, or damage to one’s career and reputation.

Third-party testing adds a layer of protection. These independent organizations rigorously test products for accuracy in labeling, purity, and the presence of banned or harmful substances. For dietitians, strength coaches, and athletic trainers, recommending third-party tested supplements is a vital step in athlete safety and program credibility.

What to Look for in Third-Party Tested Supplements

Knowing what to look for is half the battle. Here are some of the most trusted third-party testing organizations in the industry:

• NSF Certified for Sport® – Endorsed by many professional sports leagues and the NCAA, this certification ensures that every batch is tested for banned substances and verifies that the contents match the label.
• Informed Sport – Used widely by elite-level sports teams globally, this program tests for banned substances and will continue to blind test batches for continued safety.
• USP Verified – Focused more on general supplement quality, the USP mark ensures the supplement contains the ingredients on the label in the advertised dose. However, it is not checking for banned substances.

  How You Can Evaluate Products

1. Check the Label – Look for seals from NSF Certified for Sport® or Informed Sport. These should be clearly visible on the packaging.
2. Visit the Certification Website – Use the databases from NSF or Informed Sport to cross-check that the product and batch number are currently certified.
3. Avoid Proprietary Blends – Unless third-party tested, these blends often don’t disclose exact ingredient amounts and may hide banned substances.
4. Stay Updated – Batches and certifications change. Encourage athletes to regularly check the status of their supplements, especially if switching flavors or reordering.
5. Educate and Empower – Make third-party testing part of your athlete education programs. Help athletes understand the risks and how to protect themselves.

In athletics, we hold ourselves to high standards of excellence and the supplements we recommend or allow in our programs should meet those same standards. Third-party testing isn’t just a box to check; it’s a commitment to athlete safety, performance integrity, and program trustworthiness.