How to tell whether a supplement is genuinely tested
Answer
Ask what was tested for, how often, and to what laboratory standard. A statement naming none of those is a marketing line rather than a testing claim.
Key takeaways
- What makes a statement real?
- Named substances, a stated frequency, and a laboratory standard such as ISO 17025.
- Does third party testing cover banned substances?
- Not usually. Purity testing and sport certification are different analyses.
- How do I verify it?
- Ask the manufacturer directly, and for sport certification look the batch number up in the programme's listing.
The three questions
What was tested for, naming the substances rather than saying tested for purity. How often, and whether that is per batch or a single historic certificate on a raw material. And to what standard the laboratory works, such as ISO 17025.
A manufacturer answering all three precisely is being straight with you whatever the answers are. One that answers none of them has given you a marketing line.
The distinction that catches people
Purity testing confirms label accuracy and checks contaminants such as heavy metals. Sport certification screens a batch against a list of prohibited substances. Both are described as testing and they are different analyses run by different laboratories.
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil is batch tested for heavy metals and microbiology to ISO 17025 standards, and none of the four Futuro Labs products carries sport certification. A player who could be tested needs the second rather than the first.
Where to look before asking
Some of it is on the pack. A statement naming heavy metals, microbiology or a laboratory standard is a real testing claim. A certification logo is a claim about a product line, and the batch number on the base is what verifies it.
The rest usually is not, and a manufacturer's website or a direct email is the route. A reply naming the substances and the frequency is worth more than any wording on the packaging, and a reply that repeats the packaging without adding detail is an answer too.
The full version
- How to check whether a supplement is batch testedThe batch number check, step by step.
- Does sport certification test for heavy metals?Two different laboratories answering two different questions.
The product
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate is the 300mg elemental one at 22p a day, a two capsule serving covering 80 percent of the 375mg reference value, UK made and independently lab tested for purity.
- 300mg elemental magnesium, 80% NRV
- Bisglycinate, best tolerated common form
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Not batch certified for sport
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
How do I know a product is tested?
Ask what was tested for, how often, and to what laboratory standard.
Does third party testing cover doping?
Not usually. Purity testing and sport certification are separate analyses.
What if none of that is stated?
Treat it as a marketing line rather than a testing claim.
Where should I look first?
The pack, for named substances or a laboratory standard. Then the manufacturer directly.