When working to be at the top of your game, you cannot slack when it comes to your supplements. Knowing exactly what is in your protein shake is vital for your progress and your peace of mind.
As the UK and Europe’s number one sports nutrition brand*, Myprotein goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure our products meet the most rigorous safety standards. Our commitment to quality is built into every step of our manufacturing process.
This is why we're proud to carry Informed Certification on so many of our products. When you see an Informed logo on the picture or packaging, you can be sure that a product has been through rigorous, independent testing. Let’s find out more about what each certification means and how they help you train with confidence.
Jump to:
- What is Informed Certification?
- What is Informed Choice?
- What is Informed Sport?
- What is Informed Protein?
- The four-step certification process
- Our internal quality assurance
- Frequently asked questions
What is Informed Certification?
Informed Certification is a range of testing programmes run by leading testing laboratory, LGC. These programmes help reduce the risk of supplements containing substances that are potentially harmful or banned in sports.
By choosing certified products, you are opting for supplements that have undergone scrutiny beyond standard requirements.
Three branches of the certification are Informed Choice, Informed Sport and Informed Protein. Each serves a slightly different purpose, but all aim to provide transparency of what is inside the tub.
What is Informed Choice?
Informed Choice is a quality assurance programme that focuses on regular retail monitoring to ensure supplements do not contain potentially harmful substances.
The monitoring involves monthly blind sampling, where products are bought from shops or websites and then tested. This ensures that the supplements you buy are consistent with the quality standards of the original certification.
- Regular testing for over 250 prohibited substances.
- Monthly blind retail sampling to help ensure ongoing quality.
- Manufacturer assessments to verify that production sites meet required safety standards.
- A recognisable logo that helps you identify tested supplements.
What is Informed Sport?
Informed Sport involves a more frequent testing schedule than many other programmes. It requires that every single batch of a product is tested for banned substances before it is made available for sale.
For some athletes, this level of testing is often a requirement. A single contaminated supplement can have serious consequences, so testing every batch provides the necessary reassurance.
Every batch is tested, so you can check the specific test results for your tub online. The certification is recognised by many international sporting bodies and anti-doping organisations. - Testing is done in laboratories accredited to the ISO 17025 standard.
- It offers a high level of protection against inadvertent consumption of banned substances.
What is Informed Protein?
Informed Protein is a newer certification that focuses on the accuracy of the nutrition information on the label. While other tests look for what shouldn't be there, this verifies that the protein content is exactly what is promised.
This programme is designed to detect "amino spiking," where cheaper ingredients are added to make protein levels look higher than they are.
- Confirms the total amount of protein matches the label claims.
- Tests for contaminants that could skew protein readings.
- Includes facility audits to monitor quality processes.
- Provides transparency about the actual nutritional value of your supplements.
The four-step certification process
To carry an Informed logo, a product must successfully complete a rigorous four-step evaluation. This process is consistent but tailored to the specific goals of Choice, Sport or Protein certifications.
1. Product and manufacturing review
The first step involves a detailed review of the manufacturing site and the raw materials used. The testing body examines our quality systems and standard operating procedures to identify any risks of contamination.
2. Pre-certification sample testing
Before certification is granted, multiple samples from different batches are tested in the lab. This ensures that the product consistently meets the required safety and quality benchmarks before the logo can be used.
3. Product certification, logo use & web
Once the product passes the initial stages, it is officially certified. The brand can then display the logo on the packaging, and the product is listed on the official Informed website for public verification.
4. Post-certification requirements
The work continues after certification to ensure standards do not slip. For Informed Choice and Protein, this means regular blind testing of products bought from shops, while Informed Sport requires every new batch to be tested.
Our internal quality assurance
Third-party testing is a vital check, but Myprotein’s quality control starts the moment raw materials arrive. We have invested in advanced technology to monitor our production lines every day.
We use Near-Infrared (NIR) technology to quickly verify the purity of ingredients before they are used. Our facilities also include X-ray machines and filtration machines to ensure that no foreign materials ever enter the finished product.
For more information, please read our Quality Assurance page.
And for a closer look at our factory, read this article:
How Is Whey Protein Made? Inside Myprotein's Factory
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Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between Informed Choice, Informed Protein and Informed Sport?
Informed Choice tests products bought from retailers monthly. Informed Sport tests every single batch before it is sold. Informed Protein focuses on verifying that the protein levels on the label are accurate.
How can I check if my protein powder is what it says it is?
Look for the Informed Choice, Sport or Protein logos on the packaging. For Informed Sport products, you can also enter your batch number on their website to see the specific test result for that tub.
Why do some products have Informed logos and others don't?
Some products are specifically formulated and tested for elite athletes (Sport), while others are monitored for general consumer safety (Choice). We select the most appropriate certification based on how the product is used.
Are Informed Protein products checked for heavy metals?
Yes, the audit and testing processes monitor for various contaminants, including heavy metals and other impurities.
What is amino spiking?
Amino spiking is where non-essential amino acids are added to a product to inflate its protein score. The Informed Protein certification verifies that protein levels in the tub are what they say they are on the label.
Take home message
Choosing a supplement should be about supporting your fitness journey with confidence. By using Informed Choice, Sport, and Protein certifications, Myprotein ensures that our products are held to high standards of safety and label accuracy. We believe in being transparent so that you can focus on reaching your goals without worry.
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*Source: Euromonitor International Limited; Consumer Health 2025 edition, retail value sales (RSP), all retail channels, 2024 data.
