Understanding Third-Party Certifications: Informed Choice vs. Informed Sport
When considering sports nutrition supplements, athletes and others concerned about banned substances seek assurances. Third-party testing and certification programs exist to provide this assurance. Informed Choice and Informed Sport are two leading certification bodies. Optimum Nutrition uses Informed Choice for many products, including its Micronized Creatine Powder. However, there are significant differences between the two certifications.
Informed Choice tests products for substances prohibited by anti-doping organizations like WADA. Certified products display the Informed Choice logo, signaling they have been tested for banned substances. The process involves product screening and regular testing of products purchased from retail to monitor for banned substances.
Informed Sport tests every batch of a product for banned substances before release. This offers the highest assurance and minimizes the risk of a positive doping test. The product's batch number can be searched on the Informed Sport website to verify certification. For athletes under strict anti-doping rules, choosing an Informed Sport certified product is a key risk-minimization strategy.
Why Optimum Nutrition Creatine Holds Informed Choice Certification
Optimum Nutrition provides third-party testing for its supplements, and the Micronized Creatine Powder holds Informed Choice certification. This means the product is screened for a wide range of substances prohibited in sport.
- Ingredient Purity: The certification verifies that the product is free from contaminants, essential for single-ingredient supplements like creatine.
- Athlete Accessibility: By providing an Informed Choice certified product, Optimum Nutrition offers a safer option for athletes and active individuals who may be concerned about doping.
- Quality Assurance: This certification reinforces Optimum Nutrition's commitment to high-quality products.
While a product with Informed Choice certification has been tested, not every batch is tested. This is the key difference for elite athletes to consider. For most fitness enthusiasts, Informed Choice provides adequate assurance regarding banned substance testing.
Comparison Table: Informed Choice vs. Informed Sport
| Feature | Informed Choice | Informed Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Level | Lower tier; provides a high degree of assurance | 'Gold Standard'; provides the highest level of assurance |
| Testing Frequency | Products are tested monthly from retail stores | Every single batch of the product is tested before release |
| Primary Audience | General consumers and a broad range of athletes | Elite and professional athletes under strict anti-doping rules |
| Confidence Level | High, but not absolute | Highest possible assurance of being free from banned substances |
| Product Verification | The logo on the packaging indicates certification | The logo plus a batch number lookup on the official website is required for full verification |
How to Verify a Certified Product
To ensure you are purchasing a legitimate certified product, you should always verify its status. For Informed Choice, check the official website for certified products. For Informed Sport, the process includes batch-level details. This allows athletes to confirm the specific container they hold has been tested.
- Step 1: Look for the Logo. The Informed Choice or Informed Sport logo should be on the packaging.
- Step 2: Find the Batch Number. Locate the batch or lot number on the container.
- Step 3: Check the Database. Visit the official Informed Choice or Informed Sport website and search for the product using the batch number.
Conclusion
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder is certified under the Informed Choice program, indicating it has been tested for banned substances and is generally safe. However, it is not certified by Informed Sport, which tests every batch. The distinction is important, as Informed Sport provides the ultimate assurance for athletes facing drug testing. The Informed Choice certification offers sufficient peace of mind regarding product safety and purity. Always verify the product's status on the certifying body's website using the batch number.
For more information on supplement certification, visit the official Informed Choice website at https://choice.wetestyoutrust.com/certified-products.
Optimum Nutrition's Commitment to Quality
Optimum Nutrition has built its reputation on quality control and has been a trusted brand in sports nutrition for decades. Their commitment extends beyond creatine, with products like their Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein also Informed Choice certified. This demonstrates a corporate dedication to consumer safety. The company's internal quality control measures, along with external certifications, ensure product integrity.
For non-competitive athletes or general fitness users, the Informed Choice certification on Optimum Nutrition creatine confirms the product's purity and safety regarding banned substances. For elite competition, the athlete must ensure the supplement is certified by Informed Sport.
