INFORMED In 10

In this episode of INFORMED in 10, Paul Klinger, Head of Business Development at INFORMED, sits down with Eric Metz, Senior Category Manager for Sports at iHerb, to explore the growing importance of independent third-party certification in sports nutrition.

From iHerb's Sport Certified shopping destination to the commercial value of certification, they discuss how retailers and supplement brands can build consumer confidence through transparency, quality and independent testing.

They also explore the evolving expectations of consumers, the importance of batch-specific evidence, and why certification is increasingly relevant to purchasing decisions.

In this episode:

• Why iHerb launched its Sport Certified shopping destination
• The role of independent certification in retailer confidence
• The commercial implications of product recalls
• Growing demand for transparency and batch-specific testing evidence
• What supplement brands should consider when investing in certification

Learn more about INFORMED: https://sport.wetestyoutrust.com/

#INFORMEDin10 #iHerb #SportsNutrition #ThirdPartyCertification

In this episode of INFORMED In 10, Paul Klinger, Head of Business Development for INFORMED, is joined by Danielle LaFata, Co-Founder of SyncSport.

Join us as Klinger and LaFata break down how SyncSport helps practitioners simplify purchasing, track products in one place, and keep certified options front and center.

The episode also explores the importance of third-party testing and certification alongside their platform and how technology is helping organisations make more informed decisions when it comes to athlete nutrition and product procurement.

In this episode of INFORMED In 10, Paul Klinger, Head of Business Development for INFORMED, is joined by Jelte-Pier Slump, Founder of Zapply, and Tom Aspinall, UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion.

Join us as Klinger, Slump, and Aspinall explore why product quality, scientific formulation and independent certification are becoming increasingly important for both athletes and brands. From protecting careers in elite sport to building long-term consumer confidence, trust is no longer a nice-to-have, it's a competitive advantage.

The episode also explores why independent third-party certification was one of the first things Aspinall looked for when considering a partnership with Zapply, and why independent testing became a cornerstone of the brand from the outset, recognising that trust must be earned through transparent processes and external verification, not marketing claims.

In this episode of INFORMED In 10, Paul Klinger, Head of Innovation and Global Market Development for INFORMED, is joined by Tuan Ma, Founder of PlayersOnly.

Join us as Klinger and Ma discuss how platforms like PlayersOnly use AI to match athletes with brands by analyzing social media content and demographic fit — in minutes, not weeks.

The episode also explores how PlayersOnly gets rid of guesswork in the locker rooms for athletes, creates a marketplace that seamlessly connects brands with the exact athletes that fit their goals, and how building community and trust isn't just a buzzword — it’s the future of sports marketing.

In this episode of INFORMED In 10, Heather Jordan, Head of Commercial for INFORMED, is joined by Somie Rico, Senior Program Manager at Amazon.

Join us as Jordan and Rico discuss Amazon's Compliance Fast Track program, which aims to streamline compliance processes for sellers by partnering with third-party certifiers.

The episode also explores Amazon's efforts to enhance consumer trust through safety badging and independent certification, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards in the supplement industry.

On this month's episode of INFORMED In 10, Terence O'Rorke, Senior Business Development Manager for INFORMED, speaks with Damien Fitzpatrick, CEO of Informed Sport certified brand PILLAR Performance.

Join us as O'Rorke and Gupta discuss Fitzpatrick’s background as a professional rugby player and his motivation to create safer, tested supplements, the importance of banned substance testing and how Pillar Performance leads in this space, and the evolving risk landscape of supplement contamination and consumer behavior shifts.

On this month's episode of INFORMED In 10, Terence O'Rorke, Senior Business Development Manager for INFORMED, speaks with Chirag Gupta, co-founder of Informed Choice certified brand Origin Nutrition.

Join us as O'Rorke and Gupta discuss the impact of third-party certification and testing in the Indian supplement market, consumer awareness and expectations in India, and the future of independent testing and certification in the country.

In the debut episode of Informed In 10, INFORMED's Head of Innovation and Global Market Development, Paul Klinger, speaks with Grant House, Team USA Athlete and lead plaintiff in the landmark House v. NCAA class-action lawsuit. Join us as we discuss athlete protection in the ever-evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the importance of third-party certified supplements.

While Klinger highlights the challenges and responsibilities faced by athletes in the evolving landscape of NIL and the importance of athlete protection and education, House shares his experiences and insights, emphasizing the need for education and integrity in navigating the world of sports nutrition and supplements.

INFORMED In 10 is a new monthly podcast series where we cover a new topic with a new partner over the course of 10 questions. From new regions welcoming the INFORMED certification programme, to interviews with athletes, brands, and various sporting bodies, INFORMED In 10 covers topics across all areas of the sports and dietary supplement industry.

With a new episode dropping every month, make sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform to stay informed!