Research Indicates Nearly 25 Percent of Supplements Are Contaminated With Steroids, Stimulants and Banned ...( Informed-Choice Looks to Raise Level...),Health

Informed-Choice Looks to Raise Level of Awareness and Help Athletes Reduce

Risk

LAKE WYLIE, S.C., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new study released today and commissioned by Informed-Choice LLC, a not-for-profit partnership between supplement companies and a world-class, anti-doping laboratory, approximately one quarter of supplements could be contaminated.

Fifty-eight supplement samples were purchased from popular retail outlets and Internet sites in the United States and sent to HFL*, the world's most experienced anti-doping lab in the field of supplement testing, for analysis. Twenty-five percent of the samples showed the presence of steroid contamination while 11 percent showed the existence of stimulants. Samples were analyzed using a validated and ISO 17025-accredited method developed specifically for the qualitative analysis of supplements and used to detect the presence of low levels of steroid and stimulant contaminants that are considered prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"Our objective was to follow up on international research that highlighted supplement contamination four years ago to see if this was still an industry issue - and the results of the Informed-Choice study clearly indicate it is, "said Kelly Hoffman, executive director, Informed-Choice. "Our intent is not to 'name and shame' supplement companies because our goal is to work in partnership with the trade to improve products and ensure the safety of athletes and the general public who use supplements."

Hoffman said her organization will be confidentially discussing the results directly with those supplement companies whose products tested positive for contaminants.

According to David Hall, HFL's chief executive, the majority of the contamination is inadvertent.

"Although some supplement companies are aware of the banned performance- enhancing contents, the majority are not," said Hall.
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