Supplements in sport

UK athletes are strongly advised to be extremely cautious about the use of any supplements. No guarantee can be given that any particular supplement, including vitamins and minerals, ergogenic aids, and herbal remedies, is free from prohibited substances as these products are not licensed and are not subject to the same strict manufacturing and labelling requirements as licensed medicines.

Anti-doping rules are based on the principle of strict liability and, therefore, supplements are taken at an athlete's risk and personal responsibility.

The last few years have seen a number of findings for substances such as nandrolone, which have been traced to poorly labelled or contaminated supplements.

In February 2003, UK Sport published its Nandrolone Progress Report. It highlighted the findings of a major IOC study conducted in Cologne in 2002 which showed 94 out of 634 samples from non-hormonal dietary supplements contained prohibited anabolic-androgenic steroids not listed on the label.

First published in May 2003 and subsequently updated in April 2004, April 2007 and July 2008, UK Sport's advisory statement to UK athletes on the use of supplements warns them to be "extremely cautious" about their use.

The statement draws particular attention to the difference between a medicine and a supplement, with licensed medicines being labelled with a product license number which will not be found on a supplement label.