The role of banned substance residue analysis in the control of dietary supplement contamination

Abstract

The potential for contaminated dietary supplements to result in a failed doping test remains a concern for athletes, trainers, and sporting authorities despite improvements to regulatory guidelines. Previous surveys of readily available supplements confirm that many are contaminated with steroids and stimulants prohibited for use in elite sport. Suggested responses to this issue include the complete avoidance of all supplements. Many athletes, however, use nutritional supplements to achieve effective training and also to ensure that daily nutritional requirements are met (e.g. recommended levels of vitamins and minerals). This ensures that the use of supplements is and will remain the norm for a range of sports. As a result, an alternative approach of rigorous testing of materials destined for use by elite athletes has been introduced in several countries. While the testing of final product for banned substances may help mitigate the problem, it will not help to remove the underlying issue of contamination. In this article we describe an alternative approach that uses appropriate quality assurance procedures backed up by testing to remove sources of contamination. The decrease in the incidence of contamination amongst supplement companies adopting such a system is explained, and contrasted with the relatively high incidences of contamination found in products that are not part of a quality system. These findings are of key importance to both supplement manufacturers and those involved in advising athletes about supplement use.

Dietary Supplements

“…Health care providers and consumers alike have limited, if any, information regarding the safety and efficacy of DS and often find the labels of DS products difficult to interpret (31). When considered alongside recent reports of questionable marketing practices and potential adulteration or contarnination of products (7)(8)(9)15,16,18,23,28,(32)(33)(34), AE associated with DS use represents a significant patient safety and public health issue.…”

Sports Foods and Dietary Supplements for Optimal Function and Performance Enhancement in Track-and-Field Athletes

“…When the amounts of banned substances in supplements are large enough to generate a direct effect (e.g., stimulant symptoms), this is an obvious sign of potential contamination to a consumer and sometimes an indicator of intentional but undeclared manufacturing practices (Geyer et al, 2008;Parr et al, 2007Parr et al, , 2008. But the risks of unintentional contamination from adulterated raw ingredients or cross-contamination of machinery, even by the most careful manufacturers, should not be underestimated and will never be zero (Judkins et al, 2010;Maughan et al, 2018b). Because of the ever-improving analytical capabilities in antidoping laboratories, trace amounts of prohibited substances can be found in biological samples taken at doping control.…”

Dietary Supplements in the Department of Defense: Possible Solutions to Optimizing Force Readiness

“…'^''^-^', 22,24,33,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43] The literature suggests that 15 to 25% of DSs touted to increase physical performance may contain banned or prescription drug ingredients that are not listed on the label.^^'^'*''*"''^'^ Hidden ingredients found in various products between 2009 and 2012 include steroids, sildenafil analoges, aromatase inhibitors, sibutramine, tadalafil, and others. The FDA has removed many such products from the market.…”