Data sources and coverage
These sources support our review process. Listing a source here does not mean every brand has been checked against it. Each reviewed profile records its actual checks, dates, outcomes and remaining gaps.
| Primary source | Scope and limits |
|---|---|
| FDA food recall enforcement reports | Historical recall enforcement records; not warning letters or a live alert feed. |
| FDA warning letters | Separate letter documents; exact company attribution and dates require review. |
| FDA food adverse-event reports | Reported events; reports do not establish product causation. |
| FTC enforcement | Specific cases and entities, reviewed separately from FDA records. |
| Health Canada recalls | Canadian notices; retained separately from FDA counts. |
| NSF Certified for Sport | Exact listed products, formulations, regions and variants. |
| NSF supplement certification | NSF/ANSI 173 and Certified for Sport are distinct programs. |
| USP Verified | Product verification; a brand name alone does not certify a whole range. |
| Informed Sport | Product and batch scope in the Sport registry. |
| Informed Choice | A distinct program with its own records and retail monitoring process. |
Freshness
Source-check dates are recorded when the source is inspected. Review dates, evaluation dates and website publication dates have different meanings. A scheduled attempt or new build does not renew an old source check.
The openFDA food enforcement API describes weekly updates and is not intended for public recall alerts or tracking recall status. Use the FDA's current recall notices for that purpose.
Earlier data
Earlier automated database fields and generated narratives are retained for review. Unverified certification flags and unsupported negative claims do not establish reviewed facts. Archived recall details retain their source labels, with attribution limits stated.
Brand statements are distinguished from independent registry records. Community discussion, retailer reviews and paid affiliate relationships do not verify a product certification. See the scoring method for the evidence required before a score is published.