Are you really getting what’s on your label?
When choosing a protein powder, most people look at one number: grams of protein per scoop. But here’s the real question: Is that number accurate?
Between 2007 and 2023, testing conducted by LGC found that 25% of protein products did not meet their label claims, with some containing as little as 27% of the stated protein content. (source: INFORMED)
That creates a clear gap between what is promised and what is actually delivered.
What does this mean for you
When protein content is not accurate, you are not just getting less protein. You are getting less of the nutritional value you expect.
In some cases, inflated numbers come from practices such as amino spiking, where low-cost amino acids are used to artificially increase protein test results without delivering the full quality of real protein.
Our response: INFORMED Protein Certification
INFORMED Protein is an independent certification program run by LGC's Informed Sport division, one of the most respected third-party testing organizations in the global supplement industry. It is specifically designed to verify the accuracy and integrity of protein supplements.
To earn the INFORMED Protein Certified seal, a product must pass rigorous independent laboratory testing, including:
- The protein content matches the label
- The amino acid profile matches the protein source used
To be certified, products must meet strict testing standards, including: Protein levels verified within ±2% of the label claim
This ensures accuracy, consistency, and transparency, every single batch.
Why protein accuracy matters
Protein quality isn’t just about the number on the label, it’s about what makes up that number.
Studies and independent audits of the supplement industry have repeatedly found that a significant number of protein powders do not deliver the protein content stated on the label. Some products contain considerably less protein per serving than claimed. Others inflate their numbers through a practice called amino spiking.
With INFORMED Protein certification, you’re getting:
- Verified grams of protein per serving
- A complete and accurate amino acid profile
- Confidence that your supplement matches what it claims
What’s on the label = what’s in your scoop
What is amino (nitrogen) spiking?
Some lower-quality protein products use a practice called amino spiking.
This involves adding low-cost amino acids (like glycine) to artificially increase protein test results.
These added amino acids are not equivalent to complete protein. They do not provide the full spectrum of essential amino acids your muscles need for repair and growth. If your protein powder is amino spiked, you may be paying for 25g of "protein" per scoop but getting significantly less functional, muscle-building protein than that number suggests.
INFORMED Protein certification helps detect and prevent this.
👉 So you’re not just getting more “numbers” — you’re getting real protein quality
🔍 Third-party tested for quality and safety
The INFORMED Protein seal represents rigorous independent testing, including:
- Protein content verification
- Amino acid profile validation
- Detection of nitrogen contaminants
- Heavy metals testing
This means your Isolate Protein is not only accurate, it’s also screened for quality and safety.
🛡️ Why this matters when choosing a protein
With so many supplements on the market, transparency is key.
Choosing a protein with third-party certification helps ensure:
- You’re getting the full nutritional value of your protein
- The product is tested beyond internal claims
- You can trust the label and what’s inside
- You know exactly what you are paying for!
💬 INFORMED Protein Certified: the Believe standard
At Believe Supplements, we believe transparency shouldn’t be optional.
That’s why our Isolate Protein is now INFORMED Protein Certified, delivering:
✔ Verified protein content
✔ Full amino acid integrity
✔ No amino spiking
✔ Third-party tested quality
Why This Matters for Canadian Supplement Buyers
In Canada, dietary supplements are regulated as Natural Health Products (NHPs) by Health Canada, but the regulatory framework does not require independent third-party testing of protein content accuracy or amino acid profiles before a product reaches store shelves.
For Canadian consumers, this means the only reliable way to know you're getting what's on the label is to choose products that have voluntarily undergone independent certification, like INFORMED Protein.
🚀 The bottom line
INFORMED Protein Certified = real protein, verified
No shortcuts. No inflated numbers.
Just what you expect, in every scoop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does INFORMED Protein Certified mean?
INFORMED Protein is a third-party certification that verifies protein content accuracy, amino acid profile, and product quality through independent testing.
Is WADA the same as INFORMED Protein?
INFORMED Protein is a third-party certification that verifies protein content accuracy, amino acid profile, and product quality through independent testing.
How accurate is INFORMED Protein testing?
Protein levels must be verified within ±2% of the label claim, ensuring high accuracy per serving.
What does “verified protein content” mean?
It means the amount of protein listed on the label has been tested and confirmed through independent analysis.
Is Believe Supplements Isolate Protein third-party tested?
Yes. Believe Supplements' Isolate Protein is INFORMED Protein Certified, meaning every batch is independently tested by a third-party laboratory to verify protein content, amino acid profile accuracy, and the absence of amino spiking, nitrogen contaminants, and heavy metals.
What is amino spiking in protein powder?
Amino spiking (also called nitrogen spiking) is a practice where manufacturers add cheap amino acids, to inflate the protein content reading on standard lab tests. These added aminos do not provide the same muscle-building benefit as complete protein. INFORMED Protein certification specifically detects and screens for this practice.
Which Canadian protein powders are INFORMED Protein Certified?
Believe Supplements, a Canadian supplement brand, offers an Isolate Protein that carries the INFORMED Protein Certified seal, verified by the We Test You Trust program. You can confirm certification at protein.wetestyoutrust.com.
You can search for any brand or product and confirm whether it is currently certified, when it was certified, and which specific products carry the seal. If a brand claims certification but doesn't appear in this database, the claim is unverified.
Why should I choose a protein powder with third-party certification?
The supplement industry is not as tightly regulated as pharmaceuticals. Without independent testing, there is no guarantee that what's on the label matches what's in the product. Third-party certifications like INFORMED Protein give you verified assurance that protein content is accurate, the amino acid profile is complete, and the product is free from harmful contaminants.
Other source: https://youtu.be/sxg3Q0kQv74
