LGC and UL Establish Alliance for Enhanced Verification for Sports Supplements

CANTON, Mass., June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- LGC, the international science group and market leader in analytical, forensic and diagnostic services and reference standards, and UL, a leading global safety science organization, have created an enhanced supply chain verification program for the sports and athletic supplements industry in North America.

LGC has more than 50 years' experience in the science of sports anti-doping. As well as testing sports supplements for substances prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), LGC conducts doping control analysis for animal sports organizations across the world. It also offers a range of drug and alcohol abuse testing services.

Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice are LGC certification programs for sports supplements, ingredients and manufacturing facilities, which help assure athletes and general consumers that products carrying the program marks have been regularly tested for substances prohibited by WADA.

"Quality assurance has become increasingly important for consumers of sports nutrition products, and in particular for athletes that are subjected to anti-doping tests," said Terence O'Rorke, director of business development, Sport and Specialized Analytical Services, LGC.  

"Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice are established marks in the sports nutrition industry and the alliance between UL and LGC will allow supplements companies to further enhance their levels of product testing," O'Rorke added. "The alliance brings together two market leaders, and the combined experience and expertise, along with proven customer service, is an important development for both the sports supplements industry and consumers of their products."

Analysis for the programs is conducted at LGC's laboratories in Lexington, Kentucky, and in Fordham, United Kingdom. Currently there are approximately 530 products registered on the programs.

"Ongoing testing of products for label verification of content provides an essential step in product safety, quality, and performance, helping to ensure products are produced in compliance with applicable regulations and brand specifications," said Michael O'Hara, general manager of Global Nutraceuticals for UL.

"When combined with third-party facility audits, performance enhancing doping and contaminant testing, companies demonstrate to consumers that you are taking steps to lead in the industry by having your products evaluated against UL's highest standards for quality and integrity to place higher quality products in the marketplace," O'Hara added.

Dietary supplement labeling is regulated for facts, ingredients, and truthfulness in claims. UL label verification testing and reviews assess product label information as it relates to the requirements for the appropriate Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) references, and identifies gaps and areas for improvement to help ensure compliance with U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) supplement regulations and industry standards.

UL helps manufacturers, packagers and distribution centers demonstrate conformance to International Organization for Standardization international standards, the CFR and regional requirements through good manufacturing practices certification and audit services. UL offers facility and supply chain audits and certifications that promote conformance to the FDA's good manufacturing practices.

The addition of these programs from UL to the Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice certification brings a new level of quality assurance and visibility to drive improved confidence to suppliers, retailers and consumers.

About LGC Group
LGC is an international life sciences measurement and testing company with leading positions in growing markets. LGC provides a range of measurement products and services which underpin the safety, health and security of the public, including reference materials and proficiency testing, genomics reagents and instrumentation, and expert sample analysis and interpretation. LGC serves customers across a number of end markets including Pharmaceuticals, Agricultural Biotechnology, Food, Environment, Government and Academia.

LGC employs over 2,000 people and operates out of 22 countries worldwide. Its operations are extensively accredited to international quality standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, GMP, GLP and ISO Guide 34. With a history dating back to 1842, LGC has been home to the UK Government Chemist for more than 100 years and is the designated UK National Measurement Institute for chemical and bio measurement. LGC was privatised in 1996 and is now majority-owned by funds managed by Bridgepoint.

www.informed-choice.org
www.lgcgroup.com

About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for more than 120 years. Its nearly 11,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations, and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and, education services, please visit: www.UL.com

CONTACTS:
Mike O'Hara
General Manager – Global Nutraceuticals
UL LLC
(847) 664-2642

Paul Klinger
Business Development Manager
LGC Group
(720) 289-2401

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SOURCE UL

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