Protein Powder Certifications Explained
Third-party certifications verify that protein powders are tested for contaminants, heavy metals, and banned substances. But they don't all test for the same things, and their lead limits vary significantly. Here's what each certification actually means.
The Lead Limit Problem
Different certifications have different lead limits. California Prop 65 sets 0.5 µg/day. NSF allows 10 µg/day (20x higher). Informed Sport/Choice don't publish specific lead limits. The Clean Label Project Purity Award indicates testing for contaminants, but their lead limit is not publicly documented.
The biggest misconception is that certified = low lead. This is not necessarily true:
| Certification | Lead Limit | Prop 65 Multiple | What It Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Prop 65 | 0.5 µg/day | 1x (benchmark) | Legal requirement in CA |
| NSF Certified for Sport | ≤10 µg/day | 20x Prop 65 | Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, 270+ banned substances |
| Informed Sport/Choice | Not specified | Unknown | Heavy metals screened, but limit not published |
Key Takeaway: NSF certification allows 20x more lead than California Prop 65. If lead is your primary concern, check independent testing data for actual lead measurements rather than relying on certifications alone.
View detailed comparison of certification lead limits →
NSF Certified for Sport
NSF certification means the product is tested by NSF International for lead (≤10 µg/day), cadmium (≤4.1 µg/day), arsenic, mercury, and 270+ banned substances. Facilities are audited annually. It's the gold standard for athletes but doesn't guarantee minimal lead.
Who It's Best For
- Competitive athletes: Required for many collegiate and professional sports programs
- Military personnel: Often required for military bases
Important Caveats
- Lead limit (10 µg/day) is 20x California Prop 65's 0.5 µg/day
- Certifies specific products, not entire brands
Learn more: NSF Certified Products Search
Informed Sport
Informed Sport certifies that EVERY batch is tested before market release for 250+ prohibited substances. Heavy metals are screened, but specific lead limits aren't published. Designed for athletes subject to anti-doping testing.
Who It's Best For
- Professional/collegiate athletes: Often required or strongly recommended
- Drug-tested professions: Military, law enforcement, first responders
- Anyone wanting batch-level assurance: Every single lot is tested
Learn more: Informed Sport Certified Brands
Informed Choice
Informed Choice uses monthly retail sampling to test products from store shelves. It catches manufacturing drift that batch testing might miss. Like Informed Sport, it tests for 250+ banned substances, but doesn't publish specific lead limits.
Who It's Best For
- General consumers: Want third-party verification without batch-level testing
- Retail buyers: Certification catches issues that factory-only testing might miss
Learn more: Informed Choice Certified Brands
Clean Label Project Purity Award
The Clean Label Project Purity Award is given to products in the top third for purity among tested products. Products are tested for heavy metals including lead, pesticides, BPA, and other contaminants. The specific lead limit used for this award is not publicly documented.
Important Caveat
The specific lead limit is not publicly documented. For verified lead limits, refer to California Prop 65 (0.5 µg/day) or check actual test data.
Learn more: Clean Label Project Certified Products
Comparison: Which Certification Is Right For You?
| Priority | Best Certification | Also Good | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimizing Lead | Check independent test data | California Prop 65 compliance (≤0.5 µg/serving) | NSF alone (allows 20x Prop 65) |
| Athlete / Drug Tested | Informed Sport | NSF Certified for Sport | None needed |
| General Quality Assurance | Informed Choice | NSF, CLP Purity | None needed |
| Value / Low Cost | — | — |
Limitations of Certifications
- Not all products are tested: The majority of protein powders have no third-party certification
- Lead limits vary: NSF allows 20x more lead than Prop 65; others don't publish limits
- Certified products can still have lead: Even certified products may have measurable lead—just within allowed limits
- Certification is expensive: Costs are passed to consumers; untested products may be equally safe
- Certification scope: Most certifications cover specific products, not entire brand lineups
How to Verify Certification Status
To verify if a product is certified, check the certification organization's website:
- NSF: nsfsport.com/certified-products - Search by brand or product name
- Informed Sport: sport.wetestyoutrust.com/certified-brands
- Informed Choice: choice.wetestyoutrust.com/informed-choice-certified-brands
- Clean Label Project: cleanlabelproject.org
Disclaimer: Certification requirements can change. Always verify current certification status on the organization's website. This information is for educational purposes only.