The supplement certification landscape is evolving, and Episode #193 of the PricePlow Podcast brings you to the forefront of this transformation. We sit down with Lori Bestervelt, Ph.D., and Thane Campbell from TruShieldâ„¢ Certified, a new certification service that’s challenging the status quo by focusing exclusively on comprehensive banned substance testing.
With Lori’s 22 years creating industry standards at NSF International (including the foundational NSF 173 standard) and Thane’s expertise from SMRTL (one of only two WADA-experienced anti-doping laboratories in the United States), they’re introducing a certification approach that tests for well over 400 prohibited substances, including entire drug classes like glucocorticoids and HIF stabilizers that other programs overlook.
TruShieldâ„¢ Certified: Finished Product Drug-Testing from an Elite Lab
Unlike traditional bundled certification programs that require brands to repeat testing across multiple areas they may already have covered, TruShield takes a streamlined approach by focusing solely on what athletes and tested individuals need most: certainty that their supplements are free from banned substances.
The conversation explores the evolution of performance-enhancing substances from prohormones to SARMs to peptides, the challenges of cross-contamination in manufacturing, and why the certification industry hasn’t kept pace with modern supply chain realities. Whether you’re a brand looking to protect athletes or a consumer wanting transparency about what’s in your supplements, this episode delivers critical insights into the future of supplement safety.
Subscribe to the PricePlow Podcast on your favorite platform and sign up for TruShield Certified news alerts on PricePlow before we dive into the details!
https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/trushield-certified-193
Video: Introducing TruShieldâ„¢ Certified with Lori Bestervelt and Thane Campbell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-m-QHg6nDk
Detailed Show Notes: TruShieldâ„¢ Certified’s Approach to Banned Substance Testing
- (0:00) – Introductions and Background
- (3:00) – The Problem with Bundled Certification Services
- (5:00) – Industry Evolution and Current Gaps
- (7:00) – Thane’s Background and SMRTL’s Role
- (9:00) – The Evolution of Banned Substances
- (11:00) – Consumer Safety and Informed Decisions
- (15:00) – Testing Methodology and Laboratory Capabilities
- (20:30) – The Lot-by-Lot Certification Process
- (25:45) – Cross-Contamination Challenges in Manufacturing
- (32:15) – Cost Considerations and Accessibility
- (35:30) – Early Adopters: CON-CRÄ’T, RedLeaf Biologics, and Vireo
- (40:45) – International Expansion and Geographic Availability
- (47:15) – League Endorsements and Adoption
- (53:00) – The Competitive Landscape
- (58:45) – Manufacturing Partnerships and Supply Chain Transparency
- (1:04:30) – Future Trends and Emerging Substances
- (1:09:15) – The Caffeine Question and WADA Regulations
- (1:13:45) – Partnership with Eurofins and Closing Thoughts
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