INFORMED Releases 2024 Laboratory Testing Statistics

17 January 2025

Just over two weeks into the new year, we have officially closed the books on 2024. Before we set our sights too far into 2025, however, we did want to take some time to share a few of our testing statistics from last year.

"2024 completes our 17th year since the first INFORMED programme was launched, and the programmes have never been stronger," Paul Klinger, Head of Global Business Development, said. "Supplement brands globally have recognized the need for this important certification, not only to help protect athletes from failing a drug test due to contaminated supplements, but also for any consumer looking for reputable brands, taking the necessary steps to ensure their products are safe and meet the highest quality standards."

Even with the closure of our Lexington laboratory, and the inevitable transition period in our Fordham laboratory, we were still able to stay on par with our overall number of samples tested from the previous year. In 2024 a total of 23,947 samples were tested across the five INFORMED programmes. As with all the statistics, Informed Sport accounted for more than half of the samples tested on an individual level, Informed Choice trailed behind in second, and Informed Manufacturer just cracked the 1,000 samples tested mark.

On the product side, we were also able to increase our total number of certified products by nearly one quarter, with 458 new certified products being certified in 2024. An overwhelming 72% of the new certified products became Informed Sport certified, but the Informed Protein programme was also able to bring a solid increase from the previous year. Still in its infancy, Informed Protein was launched in 2023, and in 2024 we were able to more than double the number of products that carry the Informed Protein logo, with half of these certifications originating from our ever-growing Japanese market.

"Protein content is a key decision-making factor for consumers around the world, and this is especially true in Japan where consumers are incredibly detail-oriented and carefully check product labels," Nampei Shinjo, Business Development Manager for INFORMED's Japanese market, said. "Informed Protein will become a critical standard for supplement brands to meet consumer expectations and build trust."

Not only were we able to welcome on new products, but we were also able to make some new friends along the way, and add to our growing list of INFORMED certified brands. Nearly 200 new brands were welcomed to the INFORMED family during 2024, most of which became Informed Sport certified. There was one brand, however, that topped the headlines, UK wellness retailer Holland & Barrett.

Carla Devlin, the INFORMED Senior Strategic Account Manager that assisted Holland & Barrett through the certification process, spoke to the full process of bringing the retailer and supplement manufacturer onto the programme.

"Holland & Barrett has been an integral part of the British High street for my entire life, to be able to work closely with them certifying their entire product range with Informed Sport has been a huge privilege," Devlin said.

With more than 780 stores throughout the UK and Ireland and the launch of two new product lines, Holland and Barrett joined the Informed Sport programme with a record breaking 47 products upon signing.

"Due to the size of the project, we have worked alongside team members from Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Project Management, and Commercial team, a true collaboration in bringing this goal to fruition," Devlin said. "We're excited to continue supporting Holland & Barrett by testing every single batch of their TriActive and Precision Engineered ranges prior to release to market, and to build on this partnership as we move into 2025 and beyond."

"After record growth in the number of certified products and brands this past year, 2025 looks to be even stronger, especially in new emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, and Australia," Klinger said.

As INFORMED enters our 18th year of supplement testing, we're happy to look back on what 2024 had to offer, but beyond excited to find out what 2025 will bring.

To keep up to date on the INFORMED certification programmes, visit www.wetestyoutrust.com.