NFL's label certification program first of kind in any major sport

The plan guarantees nutritional products that are free of banned substances.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL STAR TRIBUNE
MINNEAPOLIS -- Fifty-four NFL players have been suspended for using banned substances since 1989. Another 57 tested positive but were out of the league before they could be suspended.
"In most cases, the player argued that he unwittingly took something," said Adolpho Birch, a member of the NFL's labor relations counsel. "During the appeals process, it became clear that some players did in fact test positive because the label on the (dietary) supplements they took either didn't list the banned substance or listed it by another name, which made it confusing."
The NFL and its players association do not recommend supplements. But the widespread use of those products caused the two sides to come together in January 2004 to create the Supplement Label Certification Program.
Inspects all supplements
A first of its kind in any sport, the plan guarantees nutritional products that are free of banned substances and true to their labeling. An independent party, NSF, inspects every batch of supplements that is made.
EAS is the only company to make it through the stringent certification process so far. The Myoplex Sport, Myoplex Original and Precision Protein shakes, bars and powders are safe for NFL players to take.
"It's not an endorsement of supplements," said Birch, who oversees the program. "We view it as a health and safety program. If a player takes the certified supplements, they will not test positive. Guaranteed."
The program has been embraced by most players. Further reinforcement of that support came this week when Minnesota Twins pitcher Juan Rincon was suspended for 10 days by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a steroid. Rincon said he unknowingly took a banned substance and is appealing.