Protecting Clean Sport in India: Why Supplement Assurance Matters for Global Sporting Trust

3 February 2026

Supplement risk and inadvertent anti-doping violations

Global anti-doping data continues to show that supplement use remains a significant source of inadvertent risk for athletes. Around 8% of anti-doping rule violations are linked to supplement use, with most cases reported as unintentional.

Anti-doping authorities consistently highlight the same concern: supplements may contain prohibited substances not listed on the label, increasing the risk of inadvertent violations for athletes at all levels of sport.

Guidance from India’s anti-doping authorities

In India, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA India) has advised athletes to exercise caution when using supplements, highlighting the risks associated with undeclared ingredients and inconsistent quality controls.

This guidance is particularly relevant as India continues to strengthen its high-performance sporting systems and prepare for major international competition. Protecting athletes from inadvertent risk is an essential part of building credibility on the global sporting stage.

Clean sport and global confidence

India has topped the global anti-doping violations list for the third consecutive year, highlighting the scale and complexity of the challenge facing sport.

While anti-doping violations are multifactorial, supplement contamination and mislabelling remain a recognised contributor. For international sporting bodies, persistent anti-doping challenges raise broader questions around governance, athlete protection and system-wide controls.

As countries seek to host major international competitions – including events on the Olympic pathway – expectations around clean sport extend beyond athlete testing alone. They increasingly include:

• Robust prevention frameworks
• Transparent quality controls
• Demonstrable risk-reduction measures across the sporting ecosystem

In this context, supplement assurance becomes a visible marker of sporting maturity and global readiness.

Strengthening the system, not shifting the blame

Protecting clean sport cannot sit with athletes alone. It requires collaboration across the ecosystem:

• Athletes need access to independently verified products
• Brands and manufacturers need robust quality and contamination controls
• Sporting organisations need confidence that products used by athletes meet internationally recognised standards

Independent verification helps reduce uncertainty, support informed decision-making and strengthen trust across this system.

The role of independent assurance

Independent testing and certification programmes such as Informed Sport play an important role in supporting clean sport by:

• Identifying prohibited substances through rigorous testing
• Reducing the risk of inadvertent anti-doping violations
• Demonstrating commitment to globally recognised standards

As India continues to invest in elite sport and international competition, independent assurance will remain a key pillar in protecting athletes and and building confidence among global sporting stakeholders.

Find out more about Informed Sport certification

Learn how independent testing supports clean sport and helps reduce the risk of inadvertent anti-doping violations. If you'd like to learn more about the Informed Sport certification process or begin certifying your product today, fill in the form below and we will be in touch.