Trust is earned, not given, which is why Biogen takes extra steps to ensure what appears on the label of popular supplements is exactly what you’ll find inside the tub, and only those ingredients.
As a passionate supporter of sports and athletes at every level, Biogen is committed to providing high-quality products that comply with the highest global standards.
The brand’s unwavering obsession with transparency, rigorous auditing, and product testing has cemented its position as South Africa’s most tested and trusted sports nutrition brand.
READ MORE | How to Choose High-Quality Vitamins and Supplements
Proof over Promises
While never formulating products with banned substances at a development level, Biogen takes extra steps to mitigate any potential risks at the manufacturer level.
By partnering with LGC Limited in the UK – a leading global supplement testing company headquartered in London – Biogen offer one of the best risk management and certification options globally with our voluntary enrolment into the company’s Informed quality assurance programmes.
This family of global quality assurance and banned substance testing certifications, developed by LGC, screen dietary supplements, sports nutrition products, and their manufacturing facilities for substances prohibited in sports and general impurities.
As a proud member of the Informed Sport, Informed Choice, and Informed Protein programmes, Biogen ensures it delivers proof over promises, giving athletes and consumers supplements they can trust.
READ MORE | Biogen powers athletes with first Informed Sport-certified premium pre-workout
Informed Sport: Uncompromising Assurance
For competing athletes subject to strict World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) controls, the stakes are incredibly high.
Informed Sport is a global quality assurance programme that provides the highest level of protection possible: every batch of a certified product undergoes rigorous testing before it hits the market or arrives on an athlete’s doorstep.
Using highly sensitive, ISO 17025-accredited methods, LGC screens for over 285 prohibited substances at a part-per-billion level.
Manufacturers must also meet strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. To maintain this status, if a manufacturer changes anything in its supply chain – even something as basic as a preferred supplier or packer – they are contractually obliged to notify Biogen to maintain complete transparency.
Given this attention to detail and rigorous testing, if you’re a pro, there’s no other way to go when it comes to choosing a supplement brand you can trust.
Learn more about Biogen’s zero-tolerance approach and dedication to clean sport on our Competing Athletes page.
Informed Choice: Championing Transparency
Even if you’re not a competing athlete, consumers who care about their health, weight and wellness also deserve products they can trust.
While some substances are banned in competitive sports, they are not necessarily banned for general sale. This can potentially pose health risks or result in the inadvertent consumption of ingredients that might interact with other medications.
Offering better peace of mind, the Informed Choice programme regularly tests enrolled products for 285 banned and unsafe substances and impurities through a rigorous four-stage process. These include:
- Stage 1: Product & Manufacturing Review
- Stage 2: Pre-Certification Sample Testing
- Stage 3: Product Certification, Logo Use and Web Listing
- Stage 4: Post-Certification Requirements and Testing
The presence of the Informed Choice logo guarantees that there are no hidden ingredients and ensures the consistent quality and purity of your supplements through independent third-party oversight.
READ MORE | Quality protein delivers quality results
Informed Protein: Verifying the Gold Standard in Recovery
When it comes to optimising recovery, protein is non-negotiable. While there are multiple options available to suit different needs and preferences, from dairy-derived variants to plant-based options, some products may fall short of the protein amounts claimed on their labels or fail to meet safety standards.
Informed Protein is a global protein testing and verification program developed to verify the amount of protein within protein supplements, giving athletes and consumers confidence in their preferred brands.
The LGC lab tests protein products enrolled in the Informed Protein programme for free amino acids and evaluates the carbon/nitrogen ratio to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.
The Informed Protein logo gives consumers the ultimate independent assurance that the protein listed on the packaging is exactly what you put into your shaker.
The Biogen Informed Range
“Enrolling products in these programmes demonstrates Biogen’s commitment to quality assurance,” says Brandon Fairweather, Brand Manager at Biogen.
“No matter whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a dedicated athlete, choosing a product enrolled and certified through these programmes ensures you’re getting a safe and effective supplement.”
Biogen has enrolled numerous products in the Informed quality assurance programmes, including:
Biogen Perform X range
Biogen Cytogen Racing Mix: Contains a blend of moderate and faster-releasing carbohydrates to help satisfy both immediate and sustained energy requirements for longer periods of exercise.
Biogen Elite Carb Drink: Formulated using the scientifically backed 1:0.8 maltodextrin to fructose ratio to support optimal absorption, with 70g of carbohydrates in every sachet.
Biogen Elite Carb Energy Bar: A compact, textured high-energy rice bar designed specifically for endurance athletes seeking efficient, on-the-go carbohydrate replenishment, delivering 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Biogen Carbogen Carbo Loader: A low GI, advanced carbo-loading and intra-exercise formulation that contains Palatinose™, which releases energy gradually while promoting glycogen storage. Also enhanced with antioxidants, electrolytes and amino acids.
Biogen Recovergen: Supplies the scientifically recommended 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein through fast-acting sources such as maltodextrin and hydrolysed whey protein to help mend and build muscles, while regenerating energy stores.
Biogen Pure Energy+: Contains a blend of simple carbohydrates for rapid energy, with magnesium, phosphates, potassium and sodium to replenish electrolytes during and after physical activity.
Biogen Cyto-Pro: Formulated with a blend of easily digested carbohydrates and proteins to replenish energy stores, limit muscle damage, support recovery, and keep you performing at your best.
Biogen Core range:
Biogen Iso-Whey Premium Protein: A protein shake with high levels of EAAs and BCAAs from a Tri Matrix Protein blend of whey protein hydrolysate, isolate and concentrate that is easily absorbed.
Biogen Premium Pre-Workout: Formulated with ingredients that support workouts with benefits that may include explosive power, muscle performance, muscular endurance, and better recovery.
Biogen Creatine Monohydrate: A globally renowned sports nutrition supplement, celebrated for its proven ability to boost strength, power, and lean body mass.
Biogen Creatine All-In-1: Formulated to stimulate overall power and performance with high levels of creatine monohydrate, with added amino acids to support muscle protein synthesis and boost energy metabolism.
Biogen L-Glutamine Powder: The ideal recovery supplement to restore L-glutamine levels after strenuous exercise to support protein synthesis.
If you want to take the guesswork out of your nutrition to train hard, recover smart, and trust your tub, shop Biogen Informed Sport, Informed Choice, and Informed Protein products online and in store at your nearest Dis-Chem.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
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