Third-Party Tested
Third-party tested is a general claim that an outside lab (not the manufacturer's own quality control) has verified protein content, ingredient identity, or absence of contaminants. Common testing partners include Informed Sport, NSF, Labdoor and ConsumerLab.
Why It Matters
Third-party testing exists because the supplement industry is not pre-market regulated by the FDA. Without an outside check, you are trusting the manufacturer's own claims. Look for the name of the testing partner: 'third-party tested' on its own with no named partner is almost meaningless.
How to Spot It on a Label
Real third-party testing names a specific lab or program (Labdoor, NSF, Informed Sport, USP). If a label says 'third-party tested' with no partner named, treat it as marketing fluff. Most quality brands will publish certificates of analysis (COAs) on their website.
Examples from real products
Related Terms
Keep learning with these closely-linked entries: