What is Myprotein's Creatine Offering?
Myprotein provides two main types of creatine monohydrate: a standard, highly-rated version and a premium version known as THE Creatine, which uses Creapure®. Creapure® is a German-made creatine known for its exceptional purity and is often considered the industry standard. Myprotein leverages this ingredient in its premium line to appeal to athletes who demand the highest quality. The standard creatine is a more budget-friendly option but is still made from high-quality ingredients and undergoes strict internal testing. For those who prefer convenience, the company also offers Creapure® in a capsule format, providing 99.99% pure creatine.
Myprotein's Quality Control and Third-Party Testing
Myprotein emphasizes its commitment to quality assurance through several internal and external measures. The company employs advanced technology, such as filtration systems, x-ray machines, and near-infrared testing, to ensure that what's on the label is in the package. In addition to in-house testing, Myprotein uses respected third-party testing services to verify its products.
- Informed Choice and Informed Sport: Many of Myprotein's products, including their premium creatine lines, carry the Informed Choice and Informed Sport certifications.
- Informed Choice involves a voluntary quality assurance program where products are regularly tested for contaminants and banned substances.
- Informed Sport goes a step further, requiring every single batch to be tested for over 250 banned substances before being released. This offers peace of mind to elite athletes subject to strict anti-doping regulations.
- BRCGS Accreditation: Myprotein's manufacturing facilities have achieved an AA+ Grade from the Brand Reputation through Compliance of Global Standards (BRCGS). This is an internationally recognized endorsement of their food quality, safety, and responsibility.
- Creapure® Testing: The Creapure® brand of creatine is manufactured in Germany under stringent quality and pharmaceutical standards. It is specifically tested for contaminants like dicyandiamide (DCD) and dihydrotriazine (DHT).
How does Myprotein's Creatine Compare?
To further understand the purity of Myprotein's products, it helps to compare their different creatine options and contrast them with lower-quality alternatives.
| Feature | Myprotein Creapure® | Myprotein Standard Creatine | Unverified/Low-Quality Creatine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourcing | German-made (Creapure®) | High-quality ingredients (source varies) | Often from regions with lax standards |
| Purity Claim | Guaranteed 99.99% pure | High-quality (specific % not listed) | Variable, often contains impurities |
| Third-Party Testing | Informed Choice & Informed Sport certified | Informed Choice & Informed Sport certified batches | Often lacking or opaque |
| Contaminant Testing | Specifically tested for DCD, DHT | Tested as part of Informed Choice/Sport | Unknown, potential for heavy metals |
| Price Point | Premium price | Budget-friendly | Very low |
| Dissolvability | Often praised for better mixability | Feedback on mixability can be mixed | Poor mixing is common |
Potential Concerns and Product Transparency
While Myprotein has robust quality control measures, it's worth noting some past concerns and how the company addresses them. In the past, broader industry-wide reports from sources like the Clean Label Project have raised questions about heavy metal contamination in protein powders, but this wasn't specifically focused on Myprotein's creatine. A more specific notice of violation regarding lead in protein blend products (not creatine) was filed in 2019, which Myprotein would have had to address. This highlights the importance of checking certifications, especially for flavored products that include additional ingredients like flavorings, acids, and sweeteners.
Myprotein's commitment to quality is evident in its use of third-party certifications and in-house testing. However, some have observed a shift in the company's approach, with a greater focus on their premium Creapure® offerings while using less transparent sourcing for standard products. The Informed Choice and Informed Sport logos remain the best indicators of a clean, tested product for consumers.
Conclusion: The Verdict on Myprotein Creatine
In conclusion, Myprotein offers creatine products that can be considered pure, especially its premium Creapure® line, which is certified 99.99% pure and rigorously tested by third-party organizations. The company also applies strong internal quality control and third-party testing to its standard creatine monohydrate to ensure safety and quality. For consumers, checking for the Informed Choice or Informed Sport logo on the packaging is the most reliable way to confirm third-party verification for a specific batch. The decision between Myprotein's premium and standard creatine boils down to budget and your personal comfort level with the sourcing transparency, but both are considered high-quality options compared to unverified alternatives.
Takeaways
- Myprotein offers a range of creatine products, including standard monohydrate and premium, German-made Creapure®.
- Its Creapure® version is guaranteed 99.99% pure and is widely considered an industry benchmark.
- Third-party testing is crucial for verifying supplement purity, and Myprotein partners with Informed Choice and Informed Sport for independent verification.
- The Informed Sport certification guarantees every batch is tested for banned substances, offering maximum peace of mind for athletes.
- Customers should look for relevant certification logos on packaging, especially for creatine products, to ensure batch-specific purity verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Creapure® creatine? A: Creapure® is a brand of creatine monohydrate manufactured in Germany by AlzChem AG. It is renowned for its exceptional purity and is subjected to rigorous testing to guarantee a 99.99% pure product, free of contaminants.
Q: How can I tell if a Myprotein creatine batch has been tested? A: You can check the Informed Sport website using the batch number printed on your product's packaging. Products carrying the Informed Sport logo undergo batch-by-batch testing for banned substances.
Q: Is Myprotein creatine safe for athletes who are drug-tested? A: Yes, products certified by Informed Sport, which Myprotein utilizes, are rigorously tested for over 250 banned substances, making them a safe choice for drug-tested athletes.
Q: What is the difference between Creapure® and Myprotein's standard creatine monohydrate? A: The primary difference lies in the sourcing and guaranteed purity. Creapure® is a German-made, premium version with guaranteed 99.99% purity. Myprotein's standard creatine is still high-quality but doesn't specify the same level of guaranteed purity.
Q: Why does the flavored Myprotein creatine have other ingredients? A: Flavored versions contain additional ingredients such as flavorings, acids, and sweeteners. For the purest product, the unflavored option is recommended, which contains only creatine monohydrate.
Q: Can creatine be contaminated with heavy metals? A: Yes, lower-quality creatine, often from less regulated sources, can contain heavy metals. Third-party testing and certification, like those from Informed Choice, help to mitigate this risk.
Q: Is Myprotein creatine made in-house? A: Myprotein states that supplements are produced at their in-house, high-class production facilities, which are BRCGS accredited for food safety.
Q: Is Myprotein's Creapure® better than other Creapure® brands? A: No, since Creapure® is a standardized product from a single German manufacturer, any brand using certified Creapure® is receiving the same high-purity ingredient. The main difference between brands would be the price or any additional ingredients in flavored versions.
