Is Sports Research Creatine NSF Certified? A Look at Its Third-Party Testing

December 24, 2025 •

2 min read

In a 2019 report, the Government Accountability Office found trace contaminants in 93% of the dietary supplements it tested, highlighting a significant concern for supplement safety. When consumers or athletes ask, "Is Sports Research creatine NSF certified?", they are seeking assurance about quality and purity. While Sports Research creatine is not NSF Certified for Sport, it undergoes a different rigorous third-party testing process that is equally important for consumers to understand.

Quick Summary

Sports Research creatine is Informed Sport certified, not NSF Certified for Sport. Both are reputable third-party testing programs, but they have distinct processes and recognitions. Understanding these differences helps consumers evaluate product safety, banned substance testing, and overall quality assurance for their creatine supplement.

Key Points

Certification Status: Sports Research creatine is Informed Sport certified, not NSF Certified for Sport.
Informed Sport Meaning: This certification signifies that each batch of the product has been tested for substances banned in sports.
NSF Certified for Sport Meaning: This certification is broader, testing for banned substances, heavy metals, contaminants, and verifying label claims.
For Athletes: The Informed Sport certification provides a strong level of assurance for athletes subject to drug testing.
How to Verify: Consumers should always check for the certification seal on the product and verify the status on the certifying body's official website.
Safety: Both certifications offer a valuable layer of independent, third-party assurance for supplement safety and purity, going beyond basic FDA regulations.

What Third-Party Certification Means for Your Supplements

For many athletes and health-conscious individuals, the integrity of dietary supplements is a top priority. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements are not subject to pre-market approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This regulatory gap makes third-party testing and certification from independent organizations like NSF International and Informed Sport crucial for consumer safety. These programs provide an impartial review, verifying that a product contains the ingredients listed on the label and is free from harmful contaminants, undeclared ingredients, and banned substances.

The Verdict: Sports Research Creatine and Its Certification

Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate is not NSF Certified for Sport. The company's creatine product carries the Informed Sport Tested certification. It is important to note that the product may be labeled "NSF Gluten-Free," which is a different, less extensive certification focused specifically on gluten content.

Informed Sport vs. NSF Certified for Sport

To make an informed decision, it's essential to understand the distinction between these two highly regarded certification programs. While both aim to reduce the risk of contaminated products, they differ in scope and recognition by various athletic organizations.

Informed Sport Certification

Informed Sport is a globally recognized program that tests every single batch of a certified supplement for substances banned in sports. This process is particularly vital for athletes who are subject to drug testing, from elite competitors to collegiate players. Key aspects include regular batch testing for banned substances, label verification, and manufacturing facility audits.

NSF Certified for Sport Certification

NSF International's Certified for Sport program is recognized by major athletic organizations. This program tests for over 280 athletic banned substances, screens for harmful levels of heavy metals and other contaminants, verifies label claims, and audits manufacturing facilities.

Comparison of Third-Party Certifications


Feature	Sports Research Creatine (Informed Sport)	NSF Certified for Sport (e.g., Thorne)
Certified By	Informed Sport	NSF International
Banned Substance Testing	Yes, tests each batch	Yes, tests for 280+ banned substances
Heavy Metals & Contaminants	Not explicitly focused on heavy metals	Yes, tests for heavy metals and contaminants
Label Claim Verification	Verifies accuracy of tested ingredients	Verifies all listed label claims
Recognition	Global standard for banned substances	Recognized by NFL, MLB, PGA, etc.

How to Verify Supplement Certifications

It is essential to verify a product's certification status. You can check the certifying organization's official website or app, such as the NSF Sport website or the Informed Sport website, to confirm the legitimacy of the certification.

Conclusion

In summary, Sports Research creatine is not NSF Certified for Sport, but it is Informed Sport Tested. Both certifications provide valuable third-party assurance of quality and purity, with Informed Sport focusing on banned substance testing and NSF Certified for Sport offering a broader scope including heavy metals and contaminants. Choosing a certified product means selecting one that has undergone independent testing beyond standard regulations, allowing for more informed consumer decisions.

For more information on certified products, you can visit the NSF's official certification database online: Check NSF Certified Products.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in the testing scope. Informed Sport focuses specifically on testing for banned substances in every batch of a product. NSF Certified for Sport is a more comprehensive certification that includes testing for banned substances, heavy metals, other contaminants, and verification of label claims.

Sports Research creatine is Informed Sport Tested, which means every batch is rigorously tested for over 250 substances banned in sports. This significantly reduces the risk of consuming a product with banned substances.

Yes, Informed Sport is a highly reliable and globally recognized third-party certification program. It is trusted by athletes, coaches, and regulatory bodies worldwide for its strict testing protocols and commitment to preventing banned substance contamination.

Look for the Informed Sport logo on the product label. You can then visit the Informed Sport official website and use their batch number search tool to verify the specific batch of your product. This confirms the product's legitimacy.

A company's choice of certification may depend on its target market, cost, and desired scope of testing. Informed Sport's focus on banned substances is a strong selling point for athletes, while NSF's broader testing appeals to a wider audience concerned about overall purity and contaminants.

Yes, several creatine brands, such as Momentous and Thorne, carry the NSF Certified for Sport certification. If NSF certification is a priority, these brands would be suitable alternatives.

No, the "NSF Gluten-Free" label is a separate, specific certification that only confirms the product has been tested to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. It does not certify the product for banned substances or heavy metal contaminants.