NSF Banned Substances Program Gains MLB OK

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Professional athletes appear to have a new support system in the debut of the Banned Substances Certification Program from NSF International, designed to ensure dietary supplements used by athletes won't result in a positive test for any banned substances. While the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) previously developed the NFL/NFLPA Supplement Certification Program, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) were the first groups to endorse the new program.

"This supplement certification program is designed to create a level playing field for all those professional, amateur and youth athletes who are dedicated to fair play in sports," said Kathleen Jordan, MS, RD, general manager, NSF Dietary Supplement Certification Program. "The athletic community has expressed concerns that many supplements may contain undeclared ingredients that could lead to positive testing for banned substances. Our certification program directly addresses these concerns and provides a solution."

Jordan added that the NSF Athletic Banned Substances Certification Program will build on the groundwork of the previous NFL program; however, the group plans to expand the parameters to span the international sports community for both professional and amateur athletes.

Sports Illustrated reported on a Monday press conference in which MLB management lawyer Frank Coonelly said the organization is pleased that NSF will be doing audits and testing to ensure the dietary supplements are "clean." Certified supplements can be purchased by MLB teams to resell to players. NSF currently has three companies undergoing the new program's certification process.

Products that pass the audit process--including product testing for banned substances and label content confirmation, formulation and label review, and production facility inspections--will be able to carry the NSF Certified for Sport mark on the product label. Any manufacturer, finished product company or ingredient supplier that currently manufactures a steroid or steroid precursor or any other substance on the World Anti-Doping Association, NFL/NFLPA, and MLB/MLBPA prohibitive substances lists are excluded from participating in the program.