Save to favorites
This feature is restricted to active members.
Join now to save favorites and get all member benefits, including over 1,400 reviews.
Join NowAlready a member? Sign in here.
Athletic Banned Substances Screening and Certification Program announced by ConsumerLab.com — Tester of supplements to screen for substances banned in Olympics
WHITE PLAINS, NY — February 8, 2002 — ConsumerLab.com announced today it has launched an Athletic Banned Substances Screening Program to test dietary supplements, performance enhancement products, and other nutrition products for substances that could cause disqualification of athletes from Olympic and other competition. It is the first comprehensive program to focus on supplements, as opposed to the downstream testing of body fluids from athletes. The ConsumerLab.com screening program includes testing for 63 banned substances, including stimulants, narcotics, anabolic agents, diuretics, masking agents, and beta-blockers based on the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.
ConsumerLab.com has been widely acknowledged in the media for its large-scale, independent testing and certification of dietary supplements. More than one quarter of the 500-plus different products tested to-date have been found to be deficient on one or more parameters relating to the accuracy of ingredient claims, dissolution, or contamination. "With uncertainty surrounding the quality of supplements and the possible severe implications of tainted products for athletes and sports associations, it has clearly become necessary for ConsumerLab.com to offer banned substances screening as an adjunct to its existing program," said Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com. Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com cautioned, "While there is scientific evidence behind the excitement over B vitamins, consumers should be aware that more than forty percent of the products that we evaluated exceeded levels at which they are known to be safely tolerated — some having more than 10 times the upper limit. There may be good medical reasons for exceeding these levels, but there may also be significant side effects. People interested in using high doses of B vitamins should consult with a healthcare professional." He added, "Consumers should also be aware that, because of deficient products, they may not get the full benefits."
ConsumerLab.com welcomes manufacturers, sports associations, and others to participate in the program, for which there is a testing fee. As with ConsumerLab.com's other Product Reviews, the identities of products that pass the testing may be posted at www.consumerlab.com.
Information from ConsumerLab.com's earlier Product Reviews are available online. These include tests of Asian and American ginseng, calcium, chondroitin, CoQ10, creatine, echinacea, ginkgo biloba, glucosamine, iron, MSM, multivitamins/multiminerals, nutrition bars, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from fish/marine oil, phytoestrogens (soy and red clover isoflavones), SAM-e, saw palmetto, St. John's wort, valerian and vitamins B, C and E. Results from testing of nutrition powders and beverages and weight loss/slimming supplements will be released shortly. General findings are available for free on the site, and subscribers can access complete lists of approved products. ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying the Best Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements is scheduled for publication later this year. To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped CL Seal of Approved Quality (see The CL Seal) to manufacturers for use on products that have passed its evaluations.
ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in White Plains, New York. It has no ownership from or interest in companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Subscription to Consumerlab.com's Product Reviews is available online. Parties interested in purchasing comprehensive Product Review Technical Reports, licensing content, or requesting testing of products may contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2002. All rights reserved.
— END —
back to top
ConsumerLab.com has been widely acknowledged in the media for its large-scale, independent testing and certification of dietary supplements. More than one quarter of the 500-plus different products tested to-date have been found to be deficient on one or more parameters relating to the accuracy of ingredient claims, dissolution, or contamination. "With uncertainty surrounding the quality of supplements and the possible severe implications of tainted products for athletes and sports associations, it has clearly become necessary for ConsumerLab.com to offer banned substances screening as an adjunct to its existing program," said Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com. Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com cautioned, "While there is scientific evidence behind the excitement over B vitamins, consumers should be aware that more than forty percent of the products that we evaluated exceeded levels at which they are known to be safely tolerated — some having more than 10 times the upper limit. There may be good medical reasons for exceeding these levels, but there may also be significant side effects. People interested in using high doses of B vitamins should consult with a healthcare professional." He added, "Consumers should also be aware that, because of deficient products, they may not get the full benefits."
ConsumerLab.com welcomes manufacturers, sports associations, and others to participate in the program, for which there is a testing fee. As with ConsumerLab.com's other Product Reviews, the identities of products that pass the testing may be posted at www.consumerlab.com.
Information from ConsumerLab.com's earlier Product Reviews are available online. These include tests of Asian and American ginseng, calcium, chondroitin, CoQ10, creatine, echinacea, ginkgo biloba, glucosamine, iron, MSM, multivitamins/multiminerals, nutrition bars, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from fish/marine oil, phytoestrogens (soy and red clover isoflavones), SAM-e, saw palmetto, St. John's wort, valerian and vitamins B, C and E. Results from testing of nutrition powders and beverages and weight loss/slimming supplements will be released shortly. General findings are available for free on the site, and subscribers can access complete lists of approved products. ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying the Best Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements is scheduled for publication later this year. To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped CL Seal of Approved Quality (see The CL Seal) to manufacturers for use on products that have passed its evaluations.
ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in White Plains, New York. It has no ownership from or interest in companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Subscription to Consumerlab.com's Product Reviews is available online. Parties interested in purchasing comprehensive Product Review Technical Reports, licensing content, or requesting testing of products may contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2002. All rights reserved.
— END —
back to top
Members of the media contact may contact media@consumerlab.com or call the ConsumerLab.com main number (914-722-9149). Please include the name of your news organization when contacting us.
