Newport-based sports nutrition company JBC has joined world-leading health and nutrition brands USN, MusclePharm and MaxiMuscle in qualifying as an accredited Informed-Sport supplier.

JBC’s Branch Chain Amino Acid nutrition supplement has been certified by the quality assurance standard Informed-Sport, following stringent testing by world-class sports anti-doping lab LGC.

A product that is Informed-Sport registered is guaranteed to be free of any banned substances that may contaminate a supplement.

The issue of cross-contamination in otherwise 'legal' products gained notable media coverage recently when Welsh athletes Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton tested positive for anabolic steroids after taking an energy supplement.

A UK anti-doping tribunal accepted the pair had not knowingly cheated, but stated they had not been careful enough when choosing what supplements they were taking.

Rachel, Clarke of JBC, said: "It's great news that our BCAAs have been granted Informed-Sport status. We went through a lengthy registration and testing process with no stone left unturned, which is the reason that Informed-Sport is seen as the gold standard of drug free certification.

"We've all seen the devastating effects that cross-contamination can have on an athlete's reputation, which is why it is so vital they can trust the supplements they consume. As part of our own quality assurance standards our products go through rigorous testing but as we supply a variety of top class Athletes and professional sports clubs we felt it was important to invest in Informed-Sport accreditation. The process is a costly one, but worth it to give our clients peace of mind, knowing that their supplements are safe."

JBC works with and has supplied sports supplements to various professional teams and athletes including Swansea City Football Club, Wales Rugby League, Royal Navy Rugby, Oxford United Football Club and GB Olympic Athlete Brett Morse.