Evidence and scoring method
A useful profile distinguishes a source-backed finding from an unreviewed claim. We record the exact product, program, region and variants in a certification listing. A listing for one product does not certify an entire brand.
When a score is available
Scores are withheld until both certification and regulatory coverage have completed review. An unchecked or missing database field remains unknown. Earlier scores and claims are preserved in our historical data, but do not establish a reviewed score.
Certification coverage requires dated brand searches of NSF/ANSI 173, NSF Certified for Sport, USP Verified, Informed Sport and Informed Choice. Regulatory coverage requires source-specific FDA recall, warning-letter, adverse-event and FTC checks, plus Health Canada recall checks where relevant. Each search documents its scope and review deadline. One product lookup does not complete a brand review.
Some profiles currently have reviewed product records and incomplete regulatory coverage. They show their sources and “Not yet rated.” This is a coverage limit, not a judgment that the brand is unsafe.
Calculation: specification 2.0.0
The editorial calculation begins at 70. Contributions below apply only to accepted, current evidence. The result is bounded to 0–100. These weights are an editorial comparison method, not a validated medical safety model. Compensation does not alter scores.
| Reviewed certification | Points |
|---|---|
| NSF/ANSI 173: selected product label and contents verification | +15 |
| NSF Certified for Sport: selected products | +15 |
| USP Verified: selected products | +15 |
| Informed Sport: selected products | +10 |
| Informed Choice: selected products | +8 |
| Reviewed facility GMP certification | 0 |
| USDA Organic: selected products | +5 |
| Brand testing statement | 0 |
Within each certification family, only its highest applicable contribution is counted. NSF/ANSI 173 and NSF Sport share one contribution. Informed Sport and Informed Choice share one contribution. Several certified variants do not multiply the points. Facility GMP evidence does not establish product testing.
| Reviewed finding | Points |
|---|---|
| Reviewed FTC pyramid-scheme enforcement | -50 |
| FTC deceptive health claims, settlement at or above the major threshold | -30 |
| Other FTC deceptive health claims | -20 |
| Other reviewed FTC enforcement | -25 |
| One or more reviewed FDA warning letters | -25 |
| One or more reviewed FDA or Health Canada recalls | -20 |
| FDA adverse-event reports above the high threshold | -15 |
| FDA adverse-event reports above the elevated threshold | -10 |
| Reviewed proprietary-blend use | -10 |
| Reviewed publication of lab results | +10 |
| Reviewed clear allergen information | +5 |
| Reviewed brand age under 2 years | -5 |
| Reviewed brand age 5–9 years | +5 |
| Reviewed brand age 10 years or more | +10 |
| Unknown testing status | 0 |
| Unknown GMP status | 0 |
| Unknown sourcing status | 0 |
| No findings in a regulatory search | 0 |
| Self-reported testing statement | 0 |
The major FTC settlement threshold is $5,000,000. FDA adverse-event thresholds are more than 20 (elevated) and more than 50 (high), with one contribution. Adverse-event reports are not proof of causation. Age contributions use the evaluation date and do not stack. Recall jurisdictions remain separate in the evidence, with one combined recall contribution.
Grades
- A+: 90–100
- A: 80–89
- B+: 70–79
- B: 60–69
- C: 50–59
- D: 35–49
- F: 0–34
Each rated brand profile shows the actual components returned by this same specification. An incomplete review receives no public grade, even when some contributions are known.
Dates and updates
- Source checked: when the source was inspected.
- Evidence reviewed: when the recorded claim and its scope were reviewed.
- Evaluated: the date used to check evidence freshness and calculate the score.
- Published: when a validated version reached the website. Publishing does not renew the source-check date.
Review deadlines are our recheck policy, not certificate expiry dates. Failed or overdue checks cannot establish a current certification or complete scoring coverage. We publish validated versions; a scheduled attempt alone is not a successful update.
Primary program references
- NSF supplement certification
- Informed Sport program FAQ
- Informed Choice certification process
- USP Verified Mark
For a purchase, match the exact product and variant to the current registry. Certification does not establish suitability for your individual health needs.