What is Being Informed Sport Approved, and Does It Matter?
Key takeaways
- Informed Sport certifies each batch individually, so a certificate covers the tub in your hand rather than the product line.
- Certification matters because as many as one in ten sports supplements can be contaminated with a prohibited substance.
- Informed Sport and Informed Choice differ in intended audience, and NSF Certified for Sport is the main US equivalent.
- Informed Sport tests every batch rather than a one-off sample, so certification applies to the tub you actually buy.
If you train hard and travel often, you need supplements you can trust. Informed Sport certified products give you that confidence, because they screen every batch for substances banned by WADA. That matters whether you compete, cycle at weekends, or simply want a clean daily routine.
Sports supplements are easy to buy and hard to verify. Labels do not always match what is inside the tub. A trusted certification takes that guesswork off your plate.
What does it mean to be Informed Sport certified?
Informed Sport is a global quality assurance programme for sports nutrition products, supplements and ingredients. Certified products are screened for substances banned in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Every batch of a product carrying the Informed Sport logo is tested for banned substances by LGC. LGC is a sports anti-doping laboratory operating the Informed Sport certification programme.
Anti-doping agencies around the world recognise the programme. They include UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the International Testing Agency, and the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (INADO).
For athletes, certification means a product is far less likely to contain contaminants that could harm performance or health. Every Whole Supp Superfood Meal Shake carries it.
Is being Informed Sport approved important?
According to Informed Sport, as many as one in ten sports supplements may end up containing a banned substance. For anyone subject to testing, that is the whole argument. Learn why professional athletes are switching to superfood meal shakes.
- Safety: Third-party testing screens each batch against the WADA prohibited list. Athletes subject to doping tests carry the consequences of a failed screen personally.
- Quality assurance: Informed Sport verifies formulation and label claims for each batch. What is on the label is actually in the product.
- Peace of mind: Knowing a supplement is tested and approved gives athletes and coaches confidence. You can trust you're consuming safe, high-quality nutrients.
How does a supplement get Informed Sport certified?
A supplement earns certification through a strict, ongoing process, not a one-off test.
- Manufacturers need to apply and be accepted into the programme based on specific quality standards.
- Every single batch of the product is then tested for banned substances before it can carry the Informed Sport logo.
- The manufacturing facility and its processes are audited as well.
The testing itself goes deep. Each batch is screened for more than 250 banned substances before release. LGC uses ISO 17025 accredited methods, the international standard for testing laboratories. Blind sample testing continues after certification to keep standards honest. Screening also covers contaminants such as heavy metals. Whole Supp applies this same standard: every Superfood Meal Shake batch is tested under the programme.
What are the risks of using unverified supplements?
Choosing sports supplements without the Informed Sport stamp of approval carries real risks. You may inadvertently consume substances harmful to your health or banned in professional sports. Here are some risks involved:
- Unknown substances may cause adverse health effects.
- Unverified supplements can lead to a positive doping test result.
- Quality may be compromised, leading to ineffective products.
Choosing a certified product reduces this risk. According to Informed Sport, research shows some supplements are contaminated with low levels of steroids, stimulants, or other prohibited substances. Every Whole Supp shake is third-party tested for banned substances.
Informed Sport vs Informed Choice vs NSF Certified for Sport
Three certifications dominate clean-supplement testing, and each serves a different reader. Informed Sport and Informed Choice both run on the same LGC programme. Informed Sport is built for elite, drug-tested athletes, while Informed Choice targets the wider active-lifestyle and retail market. NSF Certified for Sport is the main US equivalent, recognised by USADA, MLB and the NHL.
The table below shows who each certification is for and what it tests.
| Certification | Who it is for | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Informed Sport | Elite and drug-tested athletes | Every batch screened for WADA-banned substances by the LGC laboratory |
| Informed Choice | Wider active-lifestyle and retail consumers | Same LGC programme, with regular batch testing for banned substances |
| NSF Certified for Sport | US athletes and leagues, recognised by USADA, MLB and the NHL | Banned substances, contaminants, and label accuracy |
Common myths about sports supplements
Three myths come up more than any others:
| Common myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| "Natural" supplements are always safe. | Natural ingredients can still be harmful or contain banned substances, and only batch testing screens for them. |
| Supplement labels are always 100% accurate. | Some manufacturers add unlisted ingredients or misstate quantities; Informed Sport verifies label claims. |
| Supplements always deliver promised benefits. | Efficacy depends on the quality and quantity of ingredients, which certification programmes verify. |
How to choose safe and effective supplements
Five checks separate a supplement worth taking from one worth avoiding:
- Do your research: Don't rely on advertising claims alone. Verify ingredients are clinically proven to deliver the stated benefits.
- Check for third-party testing: Independent testing verifies a supplement's quality and label accuracy. Informed Sport tests for over 250 banned substances and offers a searchable certification database.
- Look for Informed Sport certification: The mark confirms a batch has been tested for substances banned in sport.
- Avoid prohibited substances: Some supplements contain banned ingredients. Check WADA's up-to-date prohibited substances list before purchasing.
- Consult a healthcare or fitness professional: When in doubt, seek professional advice. They can provide recommendations based on your personal needs and goals.
I'm not an elite athlete, can I still benefit?
Yes, anyone who uses sports nutrition products can benefit. From professional athletes to everyday users, you can have peace of mind. The supplements you take have been thoroughly screened for a variety of prohibited substances.
How Whole Supp supports safe supplementation
Every Whole Supp Superfood Meal Shake is Informed Sport certified. Every batch is screened for WADA-banned substances before release. Each serving delivers 31g of plant-based protein and 13 superfoods, built for training and busy travel days.
Conclusion
Informed Sport certification is the clearest signal that a supplement is safe for sport. It confirms every batch has been screened for WADA-banned substances by an accredited laboratory. For athletes and active professionals, that removes the guesswork from a crowded shelf. Choose a certified product and you protect both your health and your competition status. Whole Supp builds that assurance into every Superfood Meal Shake, so your daily nutrition never puts your training at risk.
Try the Whole Supp Superfood Meal Shake
Frequently asked questions
What does Informed Sport mean?
Informed Sport is a global certification that screens every batch of a supplement for WADA-banned substances. It confirms the product is safe for drug-tested athletes. The programme is run by the LGC anti-doping laboratory.
Is Informed Sport certification trustworthy?
Yes. Informed Sport is run by LGC, an ISO 17025 accredited anti-doping laboratory with decades of experience. It is recognised by anti-doping bodies including UKAD and the International Testing Agency.
Is Informed Sport the same as NSF?
No. They are separate programmes run by different organisations, and both test for banned substances. Informed Sport is the UK-based LGC programme; NSF Certified for Sport is its American counterpart.
Is Informed Choice the same as Informed Sport?
No. Both are LGC programmes, scoped differently. Informed Sport tests every batch for competition use. Informed Choice runs regular batch testing for the retail market.
Posted: Dec 04, 2023 · Last updated: Sep 21, 2026
