Athletic Greens is NSF Certified for Sport®
Athletic Greens (AG1) has earned the prestigious NSF Certified for Sport® designation. This certification is particularly important because the supplement market lacks the strict FDA regulation of pharmaceuticals. The NSF Certified for Sport® program is a rigorous, independent quality and safety certification that ensures products are tested for purity, accuracy, and banned substances, providing confidence to consumers and athletes.
The NSF certification for AG1 involves several key steps:
- Annual Audits: Manufacturing facilities undergo yearly audits to ensure compliance with strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Ingredient Review: Ingredients are reviewed to confirm safety and label claims.
- Banned Substance Testing: Each batch is tested for over 280 substances prohibited by major athletic organizations, reducing the risk of inadvertent doping.
- Contaminant Screening: Testing is conducted to detect harmful levels of contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and other impurities.
- Label Claim Verification: This process confirms that the ingredients and their amounts accurately match the product label.
What the NSF Certified for Sport Seal Guarantees
For consumers, especially athletes, the NSF Certified for Sport® seal offers significant assurances regarding supplement safety and quality:
Purity and Freedom from Contaminants
NSF certification ensures AG1 is tested for common contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial impurities. This rigorous testing provides confidence in the product's purity.
Label Accuracy and Potency
The certification verifies that AG1's label accurately reflects its contents and their amounts. This is vital in an industry where mislabeling can be an issue. It confirms the potency of the ingredients listed.
Safety for Athletes
NSF Certified for Sport® is crucial for athletes, as it tests for banned substances recognized by major sports bodies, minimizing the risk of positive doping tests from contaminated supplements.
Comparison: NSF Certified vs. Non-Certified Supplements
| Feature | NSF Certified for Sport Supplements | Non-Certified Supplements |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Testing | Yes, independent verification by a trusted third party like NSF. | Unverified; relies solely on the manufacturer's word. |
| Banned Substance Screening | Tested for over 280 athletic banned substances. | Not tested, exposing athletes to potential doping violations. |
| Manufacturing Audits | Annual audits of manufacturing facilities ensure cGMP compliance. | Audits are not guaranteed or independently verified, increasing risk of poor practice. |
| Contaminant Screening | Screens for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants. | May not be tested, potentially containing harmful, undisclosed substances. |
| Label Accuracy | Independent lab testing verifies that the label matches the contents. | Label claims may be inaccurate or misleading. |
| Consumer Trust | Higher level of trust and confidence due to independent verification. | Lower consumer trust due to lack of transparent, independent testing. |
How to Verify Athletic Greens' NSF Certification
To confirm that your Athletic Greens product is NSF Certified for Sport®:
- Check for the circular NSF Certified for Sport® logo on the AG1 packaging.
- Search for Athletic Greens or AG1 on the official NSF website database.
- Use the NSF Certified for Sport® mobile app to scan the UPC barcode and verify the product's status.
Conclusion
Athletic Greens' NSF Certified for Sport® status provides a significant level of assurance regarding its quality, safety, and transparency. This rigorous third-party testing program confirms the purity and potency of AG1's formula, testing for contaminants and banned substances and auditing manufacturing facilities. For consumers seeking a trustworthy supplement, the NSF seal on Athletic Greens signifies a commitment to high-quality standards.
For more information on the importance of independent testing, you can refer to NSF's official resources [nsf.org/about-nsf/faqs/dietary-supplements-functional-foods-faqs].