UK Sport has issued a position statement to clarify the implications to athletes of taking dietary supplements. They warn that supplements may contain banned substances which are not identified on the label and which could cause a positive drugs test. It is important to remember that Anti Doping law operates on a basis of strict liability, meaning that ignorance of a supplement’s contents is not a defence against a doping ban.

This statement is particularly timely given the recent controversy in Australia, where several supplements were found to contain constituents that had been subsituted for the approved ingredients.

The full statment, including frequently asked questions, is available at the UK Sport website. UK Sport supplement position statment (PDF)