NFL/NFLPA Supplement Certification
At the request of the National Football League (NFL) and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), NSF has developed stringent criteria for product certification under the NFL/NFLPA Supplement Certification Program. In addition to requiring NSF Certification to dietary supplements or functional foods criteria, the program requires each product lot to undergo analytical testing to ensure the absence of any substances banned by the NFL/NFLPA.
In addition to the strict NSF Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods Program requirements, products certified under the Official NFL/NFLPA Supplement Certification Program must meet the following stringent criteria:
- Formula Evaluation - NSF provides confidential review of product formulations to screen for potential banned substances and determine testing requirements.
- Good Manufacturing Practices - Production facilities and packaging facilities are inspected to insure controls are in place to avoid the introduction of, or cross contamination with, banned substances.
- Clinical Testing for Metabolites - At the client's request, NSF will oversee clinical testing to determine if any ingredients metabolize into prohibited substances that may result in disqualification from competition.
- Chain-of-Custody Procedures - Each product lot tested for banned substances must be collected by an NSF auditor. All products pending testing are held under locked quarantine until NSF notifies the manufacturer of successful test results.
The Official NFL/NFLPA Supplement Certification Program:
- Offers NFL players product options so they will not unknowingly consume banned substances via their sports nutritional products.
- Reduces the likelihood of NFL Players testing positive for banned substances consumed unintentionally.
- Ensures certified dietary supplements and functional foods contain the identity and quantity of ingredients listed on the product label and are free of any undeclared contaminants or prohibited ingredients.
- Provides a mechanism for third-party evaluation for the metabolites of dietary supplements formulations.
