Is Arma Third Party Tested? The Truth About Supplement Verification

According to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), third-party testing is a crucial step for athletes and consumers to reduce the risks associated with dietary supplements. But is Arma third party tested? The answer depends on which Arma product you are referring to, as there are different brands with similar names that have distinct testing protocols.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the third-party testing status for both Arma Sport and ARMRA Colostrum, detailing their certifications, what these tests cover, and how to verify product claims. We also explain the importance of independent verification for supplement quality and safety.

Key Points

• Arma Sport is Verified: The sports nutrition brand Arma Sport has publicly verifiable third-party certification through the Informed Sport program.

• ARMRA Verification is Limited: The colostrum brand ARMRA claims third-party testing but does not offer public access to specific lab reports or display major certification seals.

• Third-Party Testing is Not Required: Dietary supplements are not subject to pre-market approval by the FDA, making independent third-party verification crucial for consumer safety.

• Independent Verification Benefits: Reputable third-party testing confirms ingredient accuracy, screens for harmful contaminants, and provides assurance against banned substances.

• Checking for Verification: Look for certified seals (like Informed Sport or NSF), check the certifier's database, or contact the brand directly for proof of third-party testing.

Understanding the 'Arma' Brand Name

When a consumer asks, "Is Arma third party tested?", it's important to first clarify which brand they mean. There are at least two prominent, but distinct, companies with "Arma" in their name that are involved in the supplement industry: Arma Sport and ARMRA Colostrum. The verification and transparency standards for these two brands differ, and it is crucial to understand these distinctions to make an informed purchasing decision.

Arma Sport is a performance and recovery nutrition brand well-known in the motocross and athletic community. The company explicitly states its commitment to third-party testing and transparency. Its products, such as the pre-workout complex BLITZ and post-workout RELOAD, are tested for banned substances, which is a major concern for professional athletes. This testing is conducted by LGC's world-class sports anti-doping laboratory, which certifies the products under the Informed Sport program.

ARMRA Colostrum, on the other hand, is a physician-founded supplement brand focused on immune and gut health. The company claims its products are extensively tested for contaminants, including heavy metals and microbes, by FDA-registered, ISO/IEC-certified third-party laboratories. However, reviews from independent sources like BarBend and Garage Gym Reviews note that specific certifying labs and test result reports are not readily accessible on ARMRA's public-facing website, which limits full transparency.

The Critical Role of Third-Party Testing in Supplements

Given that dietary supplements are not as strictly regulated by the FDA as pharmaceuticals, third-party testing is essential for consumer protection. Independent testing offers an unbiased assessment of a product's contents, confirming that what's on the label is actually inside the bottle and that the product is free from harmful contaminants. For athletes, third-party testing is particularly critical to ensure a supplement is free of banned substances that could lead to disqualification from competition.

The Benefits of Reputable Third-Party Verification:

• Ingredient Verification: Confirms that the product contains the active ingredients listed on the label and in the advertised amounts.
• Contaminant Screening: Screens for harmful substances like heavy metals, pesticides, and microbiological contaminants.
• Banned Substance Screening: Crucial for athletes to avoid ingesting prohibited substances.
• Manufacturing Quality: A comprehensive third-party certification program often includes an audit of the manufacturing process to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
• Consumer Trust: Provides consumers with peace of mind and builds brand credibility.

Comparing Third-Party Testing for Arma Brands

To better understand the differences in verification for these two brands, here is a comparison table:

Feature	Arma Sport	ARMRA Colostrum
Primary Verification	Informed Sport certified for banned substances	Claimed extensive testing by FDA-registered, ISO/IEC-certified labs
Transparency	Clear certification logo and testing for banned substances	Public-facing reports and specific certifying lab information are lacking
Manufacturing Oversight	Adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)	Follows Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) in FDA-registered facilities
Focus of Testing	Banned substances for athletes, purity, and quality	Heavy metals, contaminants, and microbiological analysis
Verification Accessibility	Verified through the Informed Sport database	Requires contacting the company for details on lab reports

How to Verify a Supplement's Third-Party Status

1. Look for Certification Seals: Look for logos from trusted third-party certifiers like Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport, or USP on the product label. These seals are the most reliable indicator of independent verification.
2. Search the Certifier's Database: Visit the website of the certifying body (e.g., Informed Sport's website) and use their searchable database to confirm the product and batch number.
3. Check the Brand's Website: A transparent company will often have a dedicated page on their website explaining their testing process and quality control measures. Some brands even provide certificates of analysis (CoAs) for each batch.
4. Contact Customer Service: If information is unclear, contact the company's customer service and ask for documentation of their third-party testing. Request details about the specific lab and what was tested.

Conclusion

In summary, both Arma Sport and ARMRA Colostrum claim to engage in third-party testing, but with different levels of transparency and for different purposes. Arma Sport is verifiably certified by Informed Sport, which is a key assurance for athletes concerned with banned substances. ARMRA Colostrum claims to use ISO/IEC-certified labs for contaminant screening, but does not provide public access to specific lab reports or certification seals, which is a noteworthy limitation for consumers seeking full transparency. Ultimately, for optimal safety and confidence, consumers should look for products with verifiable certification from reputable independent organizations and research a brand's specific testing protocols before purchasing.

Visit Informed Sport to search for certified products.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple 'Arma' Brands: The brand name Arma can refer to multiple companies, including the athletic brand Arma Sport and the colostrum supplement brand ARMRA.
• Arma Sport is Certified: Arma Sport products are certified by Informed Sport, indicating they are regularly tested for banned substances and contaminants.
• ARMRA Testing is Less Transparent: While ARMRA Colostrum claims third-party testing for contaminants, it does not openly provide specific certifying lab information or seals like Informed Sport.
• Third-Party Testing is Critical: Independent verification is essential for ensuring a supplement's safety, accuracy, and freedom from harmful substances, especially in an unregulated market.
• How to Verify: Consumers should look for official certification seals, check independent databases, and be cautious of brands that make vague testing claims without public evidence.
• Athlete's Caution: Athletes subject to drug testing should prioritize supplements certified by specific programs like Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport to minimize risks.

FAQs

Question: What is the difference between Arma Sport and ARMRA Colostrum testing? Answer: Arma Sport is certified by Informed Sport, which provides official verification for banned substances. ARMRA Colostrum claims third-party testing for contaminants but does not display a major certification seal or provide easy public access to lab reports.

Question: What does it mean if a supplement is not third-party tested? Answer: A supplement without third-party testing lacks independent verification that it contains the ingredients claimed on the label and is free from contaminants. This leaves consumers to rely solely on the manufacturer's internal quality control.

Question: Why do professional athletes need third-party tested supplements? Answer: Professional athletes require third-party tested supplements to ensure they do not accidentally consume any substances banned by anti-doping agencies. Independent certifications provide proof that products are free of such contaminants.

Question: Can I trust a brand that says they are third-party tested but don't show the results? Answer: It is best to be cautious. While some companies may conduct internal testing, a reputable third-party tested product will typically display an official certification seal and provide access to test results or confirmation via an independent database.

Question: What are some examples of reputable third-party testing organizations for supplements? Answer: Examples of highly reputable third-party testing organizations include Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport, and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

Question: Is third-party testing the same as FDA approval? Answer: No, they are different. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold. Third-party testing is an independent, voluntary process that verifies the product's contents and safety, complementing but not replacing FDA regulations.

Question: Is ARMRA Colostrum completely safe without a major public certification like Informed Sport? Answer: While ARMRA claims testing for contaminants, the absence of a widely recognized, public-facing certification like Informed Sport means a consumer has less accessible independent verification. Consumers must weigh this reduced transparency against the company's claims and decide their own comfort level with the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arma Sport use a third-party lab to test its products?

Yes, Arma Sport products are certified by Informed Sport, a program run by LGC's sports anti-doping laboratory, which tests for banned substances and contaminants.

Is ARMRA Colostrum verified by a major third-party certification?

ARMRA Colostrum claims to use third-party ISO/IEC-certified labs for testing contaminants. However, it does not display a major third-party certification seal like NSF or Informed Sport, and public access to detailed lab reports is not readily available.

Why is third-party testing so important for supplements?

Third-party testing is important because it provides an unbiased assessment of a supplement's quality, potency, and purity. Since supplements are not approved by the FDA before they hit the market, this independent testing helps ensure consumer safety and product accuracy.

How can I check if a supplement has been third-party tested?

To check for third-party testing, look for seals from organizations like Informed Sport, NSF, or USP on the label. You can also visit the certifying organization's website and search for the product in their database or contact the manufacturer for a Certificate of Analysis.

Does third-party testing guarantee a supplement's effectiveness?

Third-party testing primarily verifies a supplement's purity and ingredient accuracy, not its effectiveness. While it ensures you are getting the ingredients listed, it does not guarantee the product will produce the desired results.

What is the Informed Sport certification?

Informed Sport is a globally recognized program that tests supplements for banned substances to ensure they are safe for athletes. It also certifies that products are manufactured to high-quality standards.

Are there other brands with 'Arma' in the name that might cause confusion?

Yes, besides Arma Sport and ARMRA Colostrum, other entities use the name 'Arma,' such as the video game series Arma by Bohemia Interactive, or the fashion brand ARMA. It is important to distinguish between these different entities when researching product verification.