Since 1842, LGC has had our consumers' best interests at heart. From regulating tobacco adulteration to today’s advanced protein testing, we’ve protected our consumers through scientific integrity and advancements. Our protein testing lab in Cambridgeshire is globally recognized, with more than 60 years of experience in sports anti-doping and nutritional supplement analysis.
To address rising concerns around protein supplement laboratory testing, we created Informed Protein — a certification program that uses advanced methods to lab test protein supplements and verify label accuracy. Informed Protein provides athletes and consumers alike with the assurance that product label claims have been verified independently, providing confidence that the amount of protein within a product matches what's listed on the label.
Many protein supplements on the market lack independent verification of their protein content. As a result, consumers risk buying mislabeled products or those contaminated with harmful substances. The best way to test protein content in a supplement is through third-party testing that goes beyond conventional nitrogen measurement methods.
Some manufacturers use undeclared ingredients rich in non-protein nitrogen to cheat testing protocols. This not only misleads consumers but may also pose serious health risks. We perform three stringent tests, screening for:
Amino Spiking - the act of adding non-protein nitrogen ingredients (e.g. free form amino acids) to boost the apparent protein content of a food product.
Informed Protein goes beyond basic label validation. Our robust methodology includes:
This ensures that protein content reflects what’s listed on the label, with no hidden additives or misrepresented nitrogen values.
If you're wondering what’s the best way to test protein content in a supplement, Informed Protein offers the gold standard of third-party testing, is scientifically sound, and trusted worldwide.
Traditional protein testing methods like the Dumas or Kjeldahl determine total nitrogen content, but not true protein levels. As a result, protein supplement laboratory testing that relies solely on these methods can be inaccurate, since any nitrogen-containing compound could be used to increase the total nitrogen content of a supplement without adding any actual protein.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires ingredient verification – including protein testing – when a food product is introduced to the public and annually thereafter. Companies often rely on in-house protein calculations testing and certificates of raw materials, or basic lab testing of protein supplements – methods that may not detect adulteration or provide independent assurance of accuracy.
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Lacking independent reassurance, many companies turn to third-party protein testing. Some brands rely on protein supplement lab tests that simply determine total nitrogen content by the Dumas process. However, this process lacks specificity and can be exploited. Non-protein nitrogen ingredients, such as free amino acids, may be added to falsely inflate results. This limitation leaves the protein testing method open to potential exploitation, with the ability for unscrupulous manufacturers to use undeclared ingredients (compounds rich in non-protein nitrogen e.g., free amino acids) to boost analytically derived protein levels. In some worst-case scenarios, adulterants such as melamine have been detected in food products, posing serious health risks.
Informed Protein employs a significantly more robust approach to protein supplement testing. Our method verifies the total protein, while also detecting non-protein nitrogen constituents that could inflate claims. We monitor the C/N (Carbon/Nitrogen) ratio to provide reassurance of product consistency, and screen for the presence or addition of known adulterants (e.g. melamine) and also free amino acids (i.e. not a constituent of a protein or a peptide) which are often used to falsely elevate results across the industry.
We work closely with global leaders in the protein community and supplement industry, to ensure that Informed Protein is at the forefront of protein supplement lab testing and certification. Learn more about the benefits of third-party testing protein, and how it supports label accuracy, product safety, and consumer trust.
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