What Creatine Has Been Third Party Tested?

According to a 2017 ConsumerLab.com report, two popular creatine supplements tested failed to meet standards for contaminants, underscoring the vital importance of quality assurance. For this reason, many athletes and fitness enthusiasts ask: what creatine has been third party tested to ensure safety and purity?

Quick Summary

Several reputable brands produce creatine supplements that are verified by independent third-party organizations. This testing confirms the product's purity, potency, and freedom from banned substances or harmful contaminants, giving consumers confidence in their purchase.

Key Points

• Verify Third-Party Seals: Always look for trusted certification logos like NSF Certified for Sport® or Informed-Sport on creatine supplement labels.

• Choose Reputable Brands: Brands such as Thorne, Momentous, and Transparent Labs are known for offering third-party tested creatine products.

• Confirm with Databases: Use the online databases provided by certifying bodies (like NSF or Informed-Sport) to verify that the specific product and batch you intend to purchase has been tested.

• Understand the Testing: Third-party testing checks for purity, label accuracy, banned substances, and contaminants like heavy metals.

• Prioritize Creapure®: For creatine monohydrate, look for the Creapure® logo, which signifies a high-purity, German-manufactured ingredient often used in certified products.

• Check Product Quality Regularly: Ensure the product has been recently tested, as some programs conduct ongoing verification to maintain certification status.

Why Third-Party Testing Matters for Creatine

When you purchase a creatine supplement, you are trusting the manufacturer to deliver a product that is pure, potent, and safe. However, the supplement industry is not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals, which is where independent third-party testing comes in. A third-party certifier is an organization with no financial tie to the manufacturer, hired to evaluate the product against strict quality, purity, and safety standards.

For creatine, this testing is particularly important for two key reasons:

1. Purity and Potency: Testing verifies that the product contains the amount of creatine listed on the label and is not diluted with cheap fillers. Third-party labs also test for common byproducts of creatine synthesis, such as dicyandiamide and creatinine, which can indicate lower quality or instability if present in high concentrations.
2. Banned Substances and Contaminants: For competitive athletes, this is non-negotiable. Reputable certification programs screen for hundreds of substances prohibited by major athletic organizations. They also test for harmful contaminants like heavy metals (e.g., lead, arsenic, cadmium) and microbial agents that can be present due to poor manufacturing processes.

Trusted Third-Party Certifications

When seeking third-party tested creatine, look for seals from these respected organizations on the product label:

• NSF Certified for Sport®: This program, highly respected in the athletic community, tests for banned substances, checks for contaminants, and confirms label claims. They also audit manufacturing facilities.
• Informed-Sport/Informed-Choice: Another program focused on preventing banned substances in sports nutrition. They conduct batch testing and provide a database of tested products.
• ConsumerLab.com: This organization independently purchases and tests supplements off the shelf, then publishes its findings in detailed reports. Products that pass their review are labeled "Approved".
• Labdoor: A service that tests and grades supplements for purity and label accuracy, making it easy for consumers to compare different brands.
• Creapure®: While not a third-party certifier in the same vein as the others, Creapure® is a brand of creatine monohydrate manufactured in Germany under extremely strict conditions. Many brands use this premium, patented ingredient, and its purity is considered the gold standard.

Leading Brands with Third-Party Tested Creatine

Based on various reports and certifications, several brands consistently provide third-party tested creatine:

• Thorne Research: Uses Creapure® and is NSF Certified for Sport®.
• Momentous: Uses Creapure® and is NSF Certified for Sport®.
• Transparent Labs: Offers Creatine HMB which is third-party tested and often ranked highly by consumer resources.
• Klean Athlete: Provides Klean Creatine, which is NSF Certified for Sport®.
• NOW Sports: Their Creatine Monohydrate is certified by Informed-Sport.
• Optimum Nutrition: Offers a Micronized Creatine Powder that is Informed-Choice certified.

A Comparison of Third-Party Tested Creatine

Feature	Thorne Creatine	Momentous Creatine	Transparent Labs Creatine HMB	Klean Athlete Creatine
Certification	NSF Certified for Sport®	NSF Certified for Sport®	Third-Party Tested	NSF Certified for Sport®
Creatine Type	Micronized Monohydrate (Creapure®)	Micronized Monohydrate (Creapure®)	Monohydrate + HMB	Monohydrate (Creapure®)
Other Ingredients	None	None (unflavored), natural flavors (flavored)	Beta-Alanine, HMB, Vitamin D, BioPerine®	None
Form	Powder	Powder	Powder	Powder

How to Choose the Right Product

Selecting the right creatine supplement involves considering several factors beyond just third-party testing:

• Read the Label: The first step is to check for the certification seal from one of the recognized bodies. A reputable company will prominently display this information.
• Go to the Source: Visit the certifier’s website (e.g., NSF, Informed-Sport) and use their searchable database to confirm that the specific product and batch you are buying is actually certified.
• Consider Ingredients: Most third-party tested products are pure creatine monohydrate. If the product contains other ingredients, ensure they are also part of the certified formula, which is common for certified supplements.
• Check Freshness: While third-party testing verifies purity at the time of testing, look for a recent test date or batch number verification. Some certification programs, like Informed-Choice, conduct monthly blind testing to ensure ongoing quality.

Conclusion

For consumers and athletes prioritizing safety and performance, choosing a third-party tested creatine is the best practice. Brands like Thorne, Momentous, Transparent Labs, Klean Athlete, and NOW Sports have voluntarily subjected their products to rigorous independent testing by organizations such as NSF, Informed-Sport, and Labdoor. By looking for the certification seal and verifying the product online, you can ensure your supplement is pure, potent, and free from banned substances or harmful contaminants, providing confidence in every scoop. This commitment to transparency is a crucial differentiator in the supplement market, helping you make a truly informed and healthy choice for your fitness goals.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only. You should always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is third-party testing important for creatine?

Third-party testing is crucial for creatine because it provides independent verification of a product's purity, potency, and safety. This process checks for banned substances, heavy metal contaminants, and confirms the creatine amount matches the label, which is vital in a largely unregulated industry.

How can I tell if a creatine supplement is third-party tested?

You can tell if a creatine supplement is third-party tested by looking for certification seals on the product label, such as NSF Certified for Sport®, Informed-Sport, or the ConsumerLab.com Approved mark. You can also verify the product's status on the certifier's official website using their searchable database.

Is all creatine monohydrate the same?

No, not all creatine monohydrate is the same. The quality and purity can vary significantly depending on the manufacturing process. The highest standard, Creapure®, is produced in Germany and is widely regarded for its purity, while cheaper sources from other countries may contain more impurities.

Which specific certifications should I look for on creatine products?

For creatine, look for certifications from NSF Certified for Sport®, Informed-Sport, ConsumerLab.com, and Labdoor. These independent bodies have robust testing protocols to ensure products are safe for consumption and free of banned substances.

What is Creapure® and is it always third-party tested?

Creapure® is a brand of creatine monohydrate produced in Germany known for its exceptional purity. While it is a high-quality, single-sourced ingredient, the finished product from a brand using Creapure® may still undergo further third-party testing for contaminants or banned substances, which is indicated by seals like NSF Certified for Sport®.

Does third-party testing guarantee 100% safety?

While third-party testing significantly increases a product's reliability and safety, no guarantee is absolute. However, certifications ensure that a product meets rigorous standards at the time of testing and that the manufacturer follows good manufacturing practices (GMP), reducing the risk of contamination.

Can I trust brands that claim third-party testing without showing a seal?

It is best to be cautious of brands that claim third-party testing without displaying a recognizable seal or providing easy access to test results. A transparent company will proudly showcase their certification and link to the relevant database on their website.