Written by Jessica Hobbis. Reviewed by Dr Phoebe Howells.  

We at OVUM are very proud to announce that OVUM Time to Conceive® For Men is now certified with the Informed Sport programme. Informed Sport certification provides the highest levels of quality assurance by testing every batch for banned substances. All certified products are tested for more than 285 substances banned in sport using ISO/IEC 17025 accredited methods, the standard within the supplement industry.

Does my supplement contain banned substances?

When trying to improve our health, we often find ourselves constantly looking at labels to see what’s inside the products we consume. This includes studying the backs of cereal packets, shampoo bottles or our favourite canned drinks. We assume that what’s inside is ‘as it says on the tin’, but this is where the problem that Informed Sport has identified lies. 

Researchers have started to demonstrate that some supplements do not contain exactly what the label says when it comes to banned substances. For example, a 2016 study found that as many as 1 in 10 supplements contain ingredients and compounds prohibited in sport. This may be due to a variety of issues during the manufacturing or labelling process, and you can learn more on the Informed Sport site here. Banned substances include anabolic agents, stimulants, hormone and metabolic modulators. 

Many athletes and others who are focused on optimising health, use supplements to support their performance and well-being. So, these findings indicate a real, hidden risk in taking supplements that have not been rigorously tested. 

Why does this matter for male reproductive health? 

In practical terms, Informed Sport certification helps ensure that OVUM Time to Conceive® For Men can be used with confidence alongside training and competition. 

‘Moderate’ exercise has been shown to improve circulation, metabolic health, and hormonal balance, all of which impact male fertility. Therefore, supporting training with supplements that meet high testing standards helps ensure performance, health, and fertility goals are aligned. 

For more information on the impact of exercise on male fertility, and how much is “too much exercise”, then head over to our blog post on the topic here.

How Informed Sport Certification gives athletes assurance. 

Developed in 2008, Informed Sport is a banned-substances testing program designed to provide elite athletes and those focused on sports and fitness goals  with the assurance that the supplements they’re using are tested to the highest standards. This has meant that Informed Sport is now recognised globally by sporting and governing bodies, anti-doping bodies, and nutrition industry organisations. 

“Achieving certification with Informed Sport showcases a brand’s dedication to providing a high-quality product for their customers. When an athlete sees the Informed Sport logo on packaging, they can be assured that every single batch has been tested and has undergone our robust certification process. Along with banned substance testing, we also perform a manufacturing assessment and raw material check to minimise the risk of substance contamination further.” 

Paul Klinger, INFORMED’s Head of Innovation and Global Market Development. 

These standards mean that when a product is Informed Sport Certified, customers can recognise that minimum quality and safety standards have been met, allowing them to trust in the supplement they are taking. This certification process involves four different stages, each designed to ensure maximum trust in the product and brand. 

Stage 1: consists of a product and manufacturing review, during which the branding and manufacturing facilities are assessed. This includes investigating staff training, quality systems and recall procedures. The Informed Sport assessors also analyse the ingredients in detail to remove the risk of contamination from the manufacturing process. 

Stage 2: is the pre-certification sample testing. Samples of the product are sent to the LGC supplement testing labs in order to be tested using LGC's ISO 17025 accredited prohibited substances supplement screen. These samples must show no contamination with prohibited substances in order to pass this stage. 

Stage 3: involves the certification of the product, during which brands are provided with Informed Sport Brand Standards, that explain how this product is permitted to be marketed. 

Stage 4: is post certification requirements and testing. After a product has been certified, every product batch must be submitted to Informed Sport for testing before it can be released into the marketplace. Further blind testing is conducted by the Informed Sport team, who purchase the product via retail. The manufacturing facilities are also regularly re-reviewed to ensure that the Informed Sport standards are continually met. 

Key Takeaways

• The reality of contamination in products is alarmingly prevalent, yet many people are unaware of this risk when choosing their supplements. 

• This matters for reproductive health because supplements can play a key role in supporting exercise and improving performance. Moderate exercise is known for its benefits to male fertility, so making sure that reproductive and performance goals are aligned is really important for those navigating fertility. 

• OVUM and Informed Sport remain committed to setting a new standard in the quality and transparency that we expect from our supplements. This aims to give people the assurance that safety requirements have been met. OVUM is so proud to have achieved this certification for OVUM Time to Conceive® For Men, and is currently looking into certification for OVUM Time to Conceive® For Women.