Ask a Dietitian: What Is NSF-Certified?

As a dietitian, I'm well aware that the supplement market is flooded with products, and they’re not created equal! My role is to guide clients toward what I believe to be the safest and most effective ways to meet their health goals, and to help them learn what to look for when evaluating products. 

NSF certification is one example of a marker of quality in dietary supplements and other industries. Consumer products that have been NSF-certified meet specific strict standards and comply with testing and other procedures throughout the manufacturing process. Consumers can look for an NSF certification mark on a product they're interested in to know right away that certain standards have been met before they buy.

So just what are these standards, and what are the requirements a product has to follow to be NSF-certified? I'll walk you through the details and explain why such a certification for your supplements might matter to you. In this article:

• NSF-Certified Meaning and Requirements
• How NSF Certification Works
• What Is NSF Certified for Sport?
• Why Does Testing Matter for Supplements?

NSF-Certified Meaning and Requirements

NSF certification is a rigorous testing and certification program offered by NSF International. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this non-profit organization was established in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation, with a specific interest in food safety. It has since come to be widely recognized by global businesses and regulators across many industries as a reputable, independent third-party tester.

Today, NSF sets health and safety standards for consumer and manufacturing products, including foods and dietary supplements. An NSF mark shows consumers that what’s listed on a product’s label matches what’s inside, and that the product is free from potentially harmful contaminants. It indicates that the supplement manufacturer has standardized operations, employee training, facilities, equipment, and quality controls.

It’s important to note that the NSF is just one example of a third-party testing organization. Some other trusted independent third-party testers for supplements include:

• ConsumerLab.com
• U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
• UL Solutions

Additionally, some products may state that they are third-party tested without specifying by which organization. In these cases, look for a supplement that’s both manufactured in a GMP-certified facility and third-party tested like Live it Up Super Greens to help ensure safety.

How NSF Certification Works

To earn NSF certification, a manufacturer must apply and undergo a product evaluation to meet the strict standards for human health protection imposed by the NSF. The NSF certification process involves the following requirements: 

• Complete laboratory testing
• Material analysis to ensure label accuracy and screen for contaminants like heavy metals
• Unannounced periodic facility audits for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

The NSF works closely with the manufacturer, having its inspectors follow the product through its entire production process to ensure compliance. After certification, the product will be subject to these tests and inspections regularly.

Re-testing and regular on-site visits are required up to twice per year to maintain certification over time. De-certification can occur if a product or facility fails a test or inspection.

What Is NSF Certified for Sport?

NSF Certified for Sport is an additional certification offered by the NSF for which only products that are already NSF-certified products are eligible. This extra certification was designed to help professional athletes, who are often required to refrain from consuming specific banned substances if they want to compete in their respective sports.

The NSF Certified for Sport mark on a product tells users that all claims on the label are accurate and that the product's formula contains no unsafe levels of more than 280 different substances identified by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It's the only third-party testing program recognized by some major national and international sports leagues, and it helps ensure compliance for athletes competing at high levels, such as those in the Olympics.

One thing that sets NSF Certified for Sport apart from basic NSF certification is that every single batch of the product must be tested to maintain the NSF Certified for Sport certification. This not only helps professional athletes, but it also offers peace of mind for anyone using the product that the supplement meets rigorous safety standards.

Why Does Testing Matter for Supplements?

Third-party testing is not required in the supplement industry, which makes a mark of certification all the more important to me as a dietitian recommending products to clients.

The market for dietary supplements is crowded and under-regulated. Many companies pursue NSF certification or other third-party verification to build credibility and help them stand out against the competition. Testing allows companies to prove:

• A commitment to meet and protect public health standards
• Product safety, purity, and quality
• Label accuracy
• Ongoing oversight from an independent third party

Please note that testing does not guarantee that a supplement is effective. However, it does ensure that the labels you're reading are accurate, so you can evaluate ingredients on your own or with the help of your dietitian or healthcare provider. While there is increasing demand from customers and retailers alike for products that are third-party tested and verified, it's still important to be vigilant and look for proof of third-party testing when you're shopping for products.

Did You Know? Unlike with pharmaceutical products, the U.S. FDA does not regulate dietary supplement efficacy or the claims made on supplement labels. This means that independent third party testing organizations are the best way for supplement companies to prove that their products are safe and for consumers to identify safe products.

NSF Certification FAQs

Learn more about how the NSF and other independent testing organizations are working to promote public health and safety standards.

Is the NSF better than the FDA?

The NSF is not necessarily better than the FDA, as the two organizations have separate functions. They share the goal of ensuring consumer safety, but they go about doing so in different ways. 

The NSF, or National Sanitation Foundation, is an independent third-party that tests and certifies products like dietary supplements. Companies may voluntarily apply for NSF certification, which requires their products and facilities to be rigorously evaluated and inspected on an ongoing basis. 

The U.S. FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, is a federal government agency that regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, and related product categories. It does so by setting standards for these industries, approving drugs before they hit the market, and enforcing food safety regulations. The FDA cannot approve dietary supplements, which is part of why independent third parties like the NSF are important in the industry.

Does NSF-certified mean non-toxic?

While being NSF-certified does not necessarily mean that a product is non-toxic, it is an indication that the product has been tested for certain contaminants. This includes the toxic elements lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, as well as mycotoxins released by fungi. A supplement can only earn an NSF certification if it's free from these toxins.

Is NSF-certified good?

Third-party testing in general is a good practice for manufacturers in the supplement industry, where a lack of FDA approval before products hit the market can make it difficult for consumers to evaluate ingredient content and product safety on their own. One of the benefits it can give to companies is an edge over the competition. Customers, meanwhile, get peace of mind.

NSF certification is simply one option companies have to get their products officially tested and certified by a reputable third party. It is not inherently better or worse than other third-party certifications.

Do I need my greens powder to be NSF Certified for Sport?

You do not need your greens powder to be NSF Certified for Sport unless you are a professional athlete avoiding the consumption of certain banned substances. Instead, most consumers should simply look for a greens powder that has been third-party tested (by an independent lab like NSF) and made in a GMP-certified facility. This ensures that the facility and the product are free from common harmful contaminants and that the label accurately lists the contents of the greens powder.

How do you check if a product is NSF-certified?

To check if a product is NSF-certified, look for the NSF logo on the product's packaging or on its online product page. You can also use NSF's online directory of certified products to search for the product by name. This helps you ensure that the NSF mark is not counterfeit. There is a separate directory for NSF Certified for Sport products.

References

• https://www.nsf.org/
• https://www.consumerreports.org/health/supplements/how-to-choose-supplements-wisely-a2238386100/
• https://www.consumerlab.com/
• https://www.usp.org/dietary-supplements-herbal-medicines
• https://www.ul.com/services/testing
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/current-good-manufacturing-practice-cgmp-regulations
• https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/what-should-dietary-supplement-oversight-look-us/2022-05
• https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/what-we-do
• https://www.nsf.org/nutrition-wellness/product-and-ingredient-certification
• https://www.nsf.org/certified-products-systems