NSF Certified for Sport® vs. Our Signature Blends: What’s the Difference?

At Just Ingredients, we’ve always prioritized high-quality nutrition, using the best ingredients available on the market and third-party testing to ensure safety and transparency. Now, with our NSF Certified for Sport® line, we’re taking it a step further—providing a level of certification trusted by professional athletes, sports organizations, and health-conscious consumers alike.

But we understand that you may have questions. Why did we create this sports line, and how does it differ from our existing protein products?

Today, we’ll break it down—explaining exactly what NSF certification means and how our NSF for Sport line compares to our existing protein, electrolytes, and pre-workout.

NSF certification is a rigorous, third-party verification process that ensures products meet strict safety, purity, and labeling standards. When a product is NSF certified, it has undergone extensive testing in several key areas depending on the kind of product you are testing. These areas can include:

Ingredient verification: Ensures the product contains the ingredients listed on the label, confirming that the ingredients meet established safety and quality standards.
Heavy metals testing: Screens for harmful contaminants, such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium, to ensure the product is safe for consumption.
Microbial contamination testing: Tests for harmful microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, molds, and pathogens that could pose health risks.
Pesticide residues: Ensures that products are free from pesticide contamination.
PFAS (Forever Chemicals) testing: Tests for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (such as PFOS and PFOA), which are known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.
Other chemical contaminants: Screens for a range of additional harmful chemicals and substances that could be present in the product, depending on the category.

Image source: NSF International

To earn NSF Certified for Sport® status, a product must first meet NSF’s general certification standards by being certified to one of the following:

NSF/ANSI 173: The primary standard for dietary supplements, ensuring products contain what they claim, are free from harmful contaminants, and meet overall safety and quality requirements.
NSF 229: A standard for functional foods, ensuring they meet ingredient and labeling requirements.
NSF 527: A newer certification specific to sports nutrition products, which covers ingredient verification, safety testing, and ensuring products are free from banned substances.

Once a product meets one of NSF’s general certifications, it can then undergo additional testing to qualify for NSF Certified for Sport®. This ensures it is free from substances banned by major sports organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The NSF Certified for Sport® program verifies that certified manufacturers and their products meet NSF’s stringent independent certification process guidelines. This includes:

Product testing for banned substances: Ensuring the product is free from over 280 banned substances, including stimulants, narcotics, steroids, and other performance-enhancing substances.
Formulation and label review: Verifying that the product’s ingredients match its label claims and meet health standards.
Production facility and supplier inspections: Ensuring that manufacturing facilities and suppliers comply with NSF’s rigorous safety and quality standards.
Ongoing monitoring: Continuously assessing products and facilities to ensure consistent safety, quality, and compliance.

The MLB, NHL, and CFL endorse and recommend NSF Certified for Sport® products, and other professional sports organizations trust these products to meet the highest standards of safety and integrity.

While both our NSF Certified for Sport® products and existing lines use the same high-quality ingredients from the same trusted manufacturers and suppliers—meaning all our products are made in facilities that undergo annual audits—there are a few differences. Here’s how they compare:

NSF Certified for Sport® Protein vs. Our Existing Protein

Both versions of our protein powder are third-party tested, contain 4-5 protein sources, use 100% grass-fed whey from New Zealand, and are made without artificial ingredients. Our NSF Certified for Sport® line has undergone additional testing and minor formulation changes–like adding more protein per serving.

NSF Certified for Sport® Protein

More protein per serving: Increased overall protein to 25g per serving.
Third-party tested: Each ingredient undergoes rigorous testing, with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and heavy metal tests obtained from suppliers before NSF testing.
NSF Certified for Sport®: Meets the strict standards of NSF Certified for Sport®, including tests for banned substances to ensure safety for athletes.
New packaging: Now comes in a sleek black bag featuring the NSF Certified for Sport® logo.
Top-selling flavors: Available in our most popular flavors–Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Strawberries & Cream, Snickerdoodle, and Chocolate Peanut Butter
Same proven ingredients, new ratios: We’ve kept the same trusted ingredients but enhanced the formula with new ratios to boost protein content.
No stevia: Sweetened only with organic monk fruit—no organic stevia leaf.
Fewer servings per bag: Due to the increased ingredient content per serving the serving size per bag is slightly lower.

Existing Protein

Less protein per serving: Contains 22-24g of protein per serving.
Third-party tested: We collect all COAs and heavy metal tests for each individual ingredient from suppliers.
Classic white bag packaging: Familiar white bag packaging that you’ve come to know and trust.
More flavor options: Offers a wider range of flavor choices to suit personal preferences.
Sweetened with stevia and monk fruit: While some formulas have changed and no longer include stevia leaf (like French Vanilla Protein Powder), many of our white bag flavors are sweetened with both organic stevia leaf and organic monk fruit.
Same proven ingredients, different ratios: Same ingredients as our NSF line with slightly different ratios.
More servings per bag: The lower protein ratio means you get more servings per bag.

NSF Certified for Sport Electrolytes vs. Existing Formulas

Both versions of our electrolytes contain five essential electrolytes, are third-party tested, and are flavored with real fruit, but there are a few key differences.

NSF Certified for Sport® Electrolytes

Third party tested & NSF Certified for Sport®: Meets the strict standards of NSF Certified for Sport®, including testing for banned substances to ensure athlete safety.
More sodium per serving: Formulated with slightly more sodium to support athletes who sweat heavily and need extra replenishment, while still maintaining a balanced potassium-to-sodium ratio.
No stevia: Sweetened only with organic monk fruit—no organic stevia leaf.
New packaging: Now comes in a sleek black bag featuring the NSF Certified for Sport® logo.
Limited flavor option: Available exclusively in Guava Mango.

Existing Electrolytes

Third-party tested: We collect all COAs and heavy metal tests for each individual ingredient from suppliers.
3:1 potassium-to-sodium ratio: An ideal ratio for the everyday consumer.
Sweetened with stevia and monk fruit: Sweetened with organic stevia leaf and organic monk fruit
Classic white bag packaging: Familiar white bag packaging that you’ve come to know and trust.
More flavor options: Offers a wider range of flavor choices to suit personal preferences.

NSF for Sport Pre-Workout vs. Existing Formulas

For pre-workout, the formula remains exactly the same—the only difference is that the NSF for Sport version has:

New packaging
NSF Certified for Sport®
Limited flavor option–comes in Strawberry Limeade

Athletes—whether professional or recreational—need to be confident that their supplements are free from banned substances and manufactured in certified facilities with no risk of cross-contamination, especially since many are subject to regular drug testing. NSF Certified for Sport® is the gold standard for sports nutrition, recognized by major sports organizations like:

The MLB
The NFL
The NBA
The PGA
The NCAA
UFC
Ironman
NASCAR

If you’re a competitive athlete, a coach, or someone who simply wants the highest level of third-party testing, our NSF for Sport line is a great choice for you.

Should You Choose the NSF for Sport Line or the Existing Line?

Both lines offer the same high-quality ingredients and commitment to transparency. The decision comes down to what you’re looking for:

NSF for Sport Certification: If you need NSF Certified for Sport® for professional or competitive sports, this line meets the highest testing standards, ensuring banned substances are not present.
Peace of Mind: Choose NSF Certified for Sport® if you want the most thorough third-party testing for athlete safety and assurance.
More Flavor Options: If you prefer a wider selection of flavors and don’t need NSF certification, the original line is a great option.
Protein Needs: With 22-24 grams of protein per serving, the original line provides enough protein for the everyday consumer, while the NSF line offers 25 grams for those looking for a slightly higher intake.
Cost-Effective Option: For a more affordable choice, the original line offers more servings at a lower price point.

No matter which you choose, you’re getting real, effective nutrition—without fillers, artificial additives, or compromise.

Built on trust. Backed by transparency.