Quick answer
No New Zealand or international body approves any supplement for athletes — not the Sport Integrity Commission, not WADA. Informed Sport is a third-party programme that batch-tests products for banned substances, which genuinely reduces risk but does not eliminate it. A 2022 Consumer NZ investigation found undeclared illegal substances in supplements sold here.
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The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui explicitly does not approve any supplement, including those on third-party testing lists.
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WADA does not test or approve supplements at all; a "WADA approved" claim on a product is not true.
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Informed Sport is a legitimate third-party batch-testing programme that reduces — but cannot fully eliminate — the risk of a supplement containing a banned or undeclared substance.
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A 2022 Consumer NZ investigation found illegal drugs, including undeclared prescription-type stimulants, in supplements sold in New Zealand stores, underlining that contamination risk is real locally, not just overseas.
Does anyone actually approve supplements for New Zealand athletes?
No. The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui is direct about this: it does not approve any supplements or their use, because it cannot be certain which products do or do not contain banned substances. This applies even to products carrying third-party testing certifications.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) goes further, stating plainly that it does not test supplements and does not approve them. Any marketing claim that a product is "WADA approved" is inaccurate and should be treated as a red flag rather than reassurance.
What does Informed Sport actually verify?
Informed Sport is an independent, third-party programme that batch-tests supplement products against a broad panel of substances prohibited in sport before allowing a product to display its logo. This is a genuine additional layer of assurance beyond standard manufacturing.
It is not the same as an anti-doping organisation endorsement, and it does not test for every possible contaminant or guarantee every future batch. The Sport Integrity Commission and international reporting both frame third-party testing as one layer of risk reduction, not a guarantee of overall product safety or quality.
Has contamination actually happened in New Zealand?
Yes. In February 2022, Consumer NZ mystery-shopped six sports supplement stores and found six products containing seven undeclared, illegal substances, including amphetamine-like stimulants and prescription medicines used to treat ADHD and Parkinson’s disease. None of these ingredients were declared on the labels, and the affected products were subsequently pulled from sale.
The Sport Integrity Commission has also noted that supplements are manufactured in factories rather than medical laboratories, which increases cross-contamination risk, and that inaccurate labelling — deliberate or accidental — can make it genuinely difficult to know what is really in a product.
What's a practical approach for tested athletes?
Because no product can be guaranteed risk-free, the Sport Integrity Commission’s own guidance focuses on minimising rather than eliminating risk. Athletes remain personally responsible for anything detected in a sample, even if it came from an unknowingly contaminated supplement.
- Ask whether you need the supplement at all before considering the risk of using it
- Favour products from established brands with transparent manufacturing and, where relevant, third-party batch testing
- Check the current label yourself rather than relying on the store, packaging claims or word of mouth
- Keep records (photos of labels and batch numbers) of anything you use
- Use the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui Supplement Decision-Making Guide before starting any new product
People also ask
Frequently asked questions
Does an Informed Sport logo guarantee a supplement is safe for tested athletes?
It significantly reduces the risk of banned-substance contamination through batch testing, but it is not a guarantee. No New Zealand or international anti-doping body approves any supplement, including tested products.
Can you be banned for a contaminated supplement you did not know contained a banned substance?
Yes. Under strict liability principles used in anti-doping, athletes are responsible for anything found in their sample regardless of intent or awareness, which is why the Sport Integrity Commission emphasises minimising risk before use.
Where can New Zealand athletes get official guidance on supplement risk?
The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui publishes a Supplement Decision-Making Guide and dedicated supplements information on its website, which is a more reliable starting point than product marketing claims.
Evidence and further reading
This guide provides general education, not diagnosis or individual medical advice. Follow product labels and speak with an appropriately qualified health professional when you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.
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