BSCG Certified Drug Free® Program Addresses Unmet Supplement Adulteration Concerns, an Analysis of FDA Statistics Confirms

LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In broadening its services to include a range of new protections against supplement adulteration, including an expanded drug-testing menu for the protection of general consumers, BSCG (Banned Substances Control Group), a highly regarded independent dietary supplement certification provider, is filling important unmet needs in the realm of supplement quality control.  An analysis of the FDA's Tainted Supplements List reveals that 76% of the hidden drugs found in supplements are not banned in sport—substances that only BSCG's pioneering program covers.

The FDA's testing has shown that products may contain harmful compounds falling outside the scope of those banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and elite and professional sports leagues including antihistamines, muscle relaxers, pain killers, weight loss drugs, PDE-5 inhibitors like sildenafil, and more dangerous agents. As the FDA warns, "this list only includes a small fraction of the potentially hazardous products with hidden ingredients." BSCG is the only certification provider to focus on this concern.

"We knew that the FDA was finding a lot of prescription and over-the-counter drugs not banned in sport in the course of their testing," said Oliver Catlin, BSCG President. "Recognizing the associated risks, we added those drugs and related compounds to our menu. We're proud to take the lead in offering additional protection against these substances that are important for the protection of the general consumer."

BSCG's industry-leading drug testing menu includes more than 392 compounds, of which 185 are prescription or over-the-counter drugs and 207 are drugs banned in sport. BSCG not only has become the first certification program to safeguard against drugs not banned in sport but also offers the broadest and most finely tuned protection available in the supplement certification industry against substances prohibited by WADA, NFL, MLB, PGA, LPGA, NHL, MLS, ATP, WTA, NCAA, NASCAR and other sporting groups.

Founded in 2004 in Los Angeles by renowned sports anti-doping pioneer Don Catlin, M.D., his son, industry leader Oliver Catlin and respected attorney Ryan Connolly, BSCG grew out of the desire to protect elite athletes and professionals from ingesting hidden substances in supplement products that could lead to health concerns and positive drug tests. No product BSCG has certified has ever led to a positive drug test. In late 2014, the third-party company released its new BSCG Certified Drug Free® program.

In addition to security against drug contamination, the BSCG program includes annual testing for label claims and toxic contaminants and a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit. With fervent recent regulatory actions in New York and other states and added scrutiny on compliance with FDA's 21 C.F.R. 111 - GMP quality control guidelines has come a renewed focus on ensuring that supplement products meet ingredient and finished product specifications for identity, purity, strength and composition and have been appropriately tested for potential contamination.

"Supplement consumers deserve assurance that products are not only drug free but that they meet label claim and contamination specifications and standards," said Catlin. "BSCG recognizes the importance of these quality control elements and is pleased to include them as part of our supplement certification services." 

The BSCG Certified Drug Free^® program represents the gold standard in dietary supplement certification and can be applied to finished products, raw materials or manufacturing facilities. The Athlete Assurance Program offers protection directly to teams, leagues or individuals. BSCG's certification allows clients to establish products and brands as reputable and drug free and offers assurance on product integrity to consumers and athletes. Look for the BSCG Certified Drug Free^® seal.

For more about BSCG and the BSCG Certified Drug Free^® program, call 1-800-920-6605 or e-mail [email protected], visit its website at www.bscg.org and download its free brochure. Join Banned Substances Control Group on Facebook and @BSCGCertified on Twitter.

SOURCE Banned Substances Control Group

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http://www.bscg.org