Nutrafol has become the first hair growth supplement brand to earn NSF Certified for Sport, signaling a shift in certification standards expanding beyond traditional performance nutrition categories into lifestyle, wellness and appearance-focused supplements.
“This milestone...signifies a commitment to clean sport, as well as quality and safety in the hair growth supplement industry,” David Trosin, senior director of nutrition and wellness at NSF, told NutraIngredients. “Our hope is that this achievement will inspire others in the industry to follow suit, demonstrating a response to consumer expectations for safety, transparency and banned substance screening.”
Trosin said the certification reflects a broader industry trend toward accountability and third-party validation.
“Products that support appearance, wellness and lifestyle are now being held to the same rigorous standards as performance-focused supplements,” he said.
Nutrafol’s recent partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) has helped bring attention to the achievement.
“This certification is brought to the forefront, spotlighting the importance of certification in consumer categories that extend beyond traditional sports supplements and underscoring the role of trusted third-party validation in protecting both athletes and everyday consumers,” Trosin said.
According to NSF’s press release, Certified for Sport is the only third-party, independent supplement certification recognized by MLB and other major athletic organizations. Nutrafol is now the official hair growth partner of MLB, launching the multi-year partnership during the 2025 postseason.
“Nutrafol is a renowned brand that helps over a million people across the country, and we know this partnership will be unique and impactful,” said Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB chief marketing officer and senior vice president of global corporate partnerships, in NSF’s press release. “In fact, in recent years the MLB health and safety team has reported that many players have sought out certified hair growth supplements—and now they finally have a trusted option.”
Certified for Sport expands reach as demand for transparency rises
Nutrafol joins a exclusive group of supplement brands that have met the Certified for Sport standard, which includes screening for over 290 banned substances as well as verification of product content and contaminant levels.
To meet NSF Certified for Sport requirements, “a product must first meet Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements, confirming that it is produced in a facility that adheres to strict safety and quality protocols,” Trosin said.
Products are then evaluated under NSF/ANSI 173 testing to verify label claims and screen for contaminants such as heavy metals, microbes and pesticides.
The Certified for Sport protocol builds on these foundations by adding banned substance screening, including stimulants, steroids and masking agents.
“This layered approach ensures that Certified for Sport products meet the highest standards of safety, quality and label integrity,” Trosin said.
Supply chain implications: Upstream and downstream
The certification helps reduce risk across the supply chain.
“For manufacturers, the certification process identifies potential issues in formulation, labeling and production,” Trosin said. “For suppliers, it ensures that raw materials meet strict identity and purity standards.”
Athletes and active consumers are the immediate beneficiaries, but the implications extend beyond.
“By undergoing independent third-party testing and certification, brands can demonstrate their commitment to safety and quality,” he added. “This helps build trust and reduces the likelihood of regulatory action, reputational harm and health risks.”
Regulatory and retail pressure mounting
As Certified for Sport gains broader recognition among major sports organizations, Trosin anticipates ripple effects throughout the broader supplement industry.
“There will be increasing pressure on supplement companies across all categories to meet these standards,” he said. Organizations that endorse or recommend the certification include Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, LPGA, USADA and the U.S. military’s Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) program.
“Retailers and consumers are seeking verified, transparent products, with third-party certification becoming a key differentiator,” Trosin added.
Navigating the path to certification
For manufacturers and suppliers looking to pursue NSF Certified for Sport, the path includes multiple checkpoints across sourcing, documentation and quality assurance.
“All raw materials must be traceable and meet NSF’s identity and purity specifications,” Trosin said.
In addition to maintaining GMP-compliant facilities, brands must provide full ingredient documentation, validate label claims and undergo annual audits and product testing.
“The process requires time and collaboration, but NSF works closely with companies to guide them through each step,” Trosin added.
Nutrafol’s two-year path to certification
The process took nearly two years for Nutrafol, Kim Biedermann, chief R&D officer at Nutrafol, told NI.
“While Nutrafol has always prioritized the highest quality, this certification required us to work with our supply chain, safety and regulatory partners further to introduce new layers of rigor to our processes,” she said.
New requirements included screening for banned substances in every lot, validating pesticide testing on both raw materials and finished products, and ensuring all manufacturing facilities passed NSF audits for GMP compliance.
“The process was complex, but we saw it as an opportunity to elevate our standards even further,” Biedermann said. “We’re proud to deliver a certified product that meets the highest levels of trust, transparency and performance.”
MLB partnership aims to normalize hair health
Nutrafol’s collaboration with MLB aligns with growing consumer interest in personal wellness, even among athletes.
“We actually heard that a lot of baseball players were already looking for certified hair growth supplements which sparked our interest in exploring a larger partnership,” Biedermann said.
She described the campaign as both a consumer trust signal and a cultural conversation starter.
“Being able to partner with the MLB and highlight our NSF certification shows athletes, consumers and healthcare providers that Nutrafol meets the highest bar for safety,” she said. “Our goal is simple: normalize the conversation around hair health in a way that is impactful and inspiring.”
Building on scientific credibility
Nutrafol’s strategy continues to emphasize scientific validation, which Biedermann said has always underpinned the brand’s credibility.
“Science is our foundation—it’s what builds trust,” she said. “Earning NSF Certified for Sport strengthens that foundation and opens the door to new audiences.”
Campaigns like “Hats Off” aim to make that science more accessible and culturally resonant.
Looking ahead, the certification milestone will shape Nutrafol’s innovation pipeline.
“It sets the bar for everything we do moving forward,” Biedermann said. “As pioneers in hair wellness, we’re excited to keep breaking new ground—both within hair health and into adjacent spaces in sports and overall wellness—always with the same commitment to science, safety and efficacy.”
