NSF Certified for Sport
Banned substances for athletes, plus label and contaminant checks
Summary
NSF's Certified for Sport checks that what's on the label is in the package and that the product has no unsafe levels of contaminants, prohibited substances or masking agents. [1]
What it tests
Product testing for banned substances; NSF says it tests for 290 stimulants, narcotics, steroids, diuretics, beta-2 agonists, masking agents and other substances. [2]
Formulation and label review. [2]
Production facility and supplier inspections, plus ongoing monitoring. [2]
What it doesn't cover
NIH ODS notes quality seals do not guarantee a product is safe or effective. [3]
NSF describes the program as minimizing, not eliminating, the risk of banned substances when the product is taken at the recommended serving size. [2]
How to verify a product
Look up on their siteSearch NSF's directory by product name, company or lot number, or browse by goal, type or brand. [4]
NSF's app includes a UPC barcode scanner and lists products tested lot by lot. [2]
Notes
USADA currently recognizes NSF Certified for Sport as the program best suited for athletes to reduce supplement risk. [5]
Sources
- NSF — About Certified for Sport retrieved 2026-10-27
- NSF — Certified for Sport Program retrieved 2026-10-27
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know retrieved 2026-10-27
- NSF — Certified Products Search retrieved 2026-10-27
- U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) — Supplement Connect retrieved 2026-10-27