AFT Supplement Safety: How to Avoid Accidentally Taking Banned Substances

You're doing everything right. Training hard for the AFT, eating well, maybe taking some creatine or protein powder to support your performance. Then you get called for a random urinalysis—and it comes back positive for anabolic steroids. You've never intentionally taken anything illegal in your life.

This scenario isn't hypothetical. It happens to Soldiers, professional athletes, and recreational gym-goers every year. The supplement you trusted contained something that wasn't on the label. And in the military, a positive drug test doesn't come with a second chance to explain yourself.

The Shocking Stats: Contamination Is More Common Than You Think

The research on supplement contamination is alarming. A 2022 systematic review published in BioMed Research International analyzed 50 studies examining undeclared compounds in dietary supplements. Out of 3,132 supplements tested across all studies, 875 were found to contain undeclared substances—that's more than 28% of products.

The most frequently detected undeclared substances were sibutramine (a weight-loss drug withdrawn from the market due to cardiovascular risks) and anabolic-androgenic steroids. These aren't trace contaminants from poor manufacturing—they're pharmacologically active compounds that can trigger positive drug tests and cause serious health effects.

The numbers get worse when you look at specific product categories. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine examined 66 "high-risk" sports nutrition supplements—products claiming to modulate hormones, stimulate muscle gain, increase fat loss, or boost energy. Of these 66 products, 25 (38%) contained undeclared doping substances.

The detected substances included stimulants like oxilofrine and DMAA, anabolic steroids like boldione, and other compounds banned by every major sports organization. Based on recommended dosing, the researchers concluded that consuming some of these products could pose a significant risk of unintentional doping violations—and three products (4.5%) could impose direct health risks.

A Sports Health review examining contamination data from 2012-2017 reached a similar conclusion: poor manufacturing processes and intentional contamination with banned substances continue to occur in dietary supplements sold in the United States. Certain categories—particularly weight loss and muscle-building supplements—pose the greatest risk.

Why This Matters for Military Careers

The military drug testing program doesn't distinguish between intentional use and accidental contamination. A positive urinalysis result for a banned substance triggers the same administrative and potentially criminal consequences regardless of how that substance entered your system.

The consequences are severe: loss of security clearance, administrative separation, potential court-martial, and a permanent mark on your record that follows you into civilian life. Your commander doesn't have the option to overlook a positive test because you thought your pre-workout was safe.

Unlike professional sports, where athletes sometimes have resources to demonstrate contamination through hair analysis or supplement testing, military members typically lack both the time and means to mount such defenses before administrative action begins. The burden of proof effectively shifts to the Soldier, who must explain how a banned substance appeared in their system.

This reality makes supplement selection one of the most consequential decisions a Soldier can make. The potential performance benefit from any supplement must be weighed against the career-ending risk of contamination.

How Banned Substances End Up in Supplements

Understanding how contamination occurs helps explain why it's so widespread—and why simply buying "reputable brands" isn't adequate protection.

Intentional spiking. Some manufacturers deliberately add undisclosed pharmaceutical compounds to make their products more effective. A pre-workout that contains undeclared stimulants will genuinely provide more energy. A muscle-building supplement with undeclared steroids will actually build muscle faster. The products work precisely because they contain drugs—they're just not telling you about it.

Cross-contamination during manufacturing. Many supplement manufacturers produce multiple products on shared equipment. If that equipment was previously used to produce a product containing a banned substance (or a product intentionally spiked with one), trace amounts can carry over to subsequent batches. This is particularly common in contract manufacturing facilities that produce supplements for multiple brands.

Contaminated raw materials. Supplements are manufactured from raw ingredients sourced globally, often from countries with less regulatory oversight than the United States. A review in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition noted that even when a product label says "manufactured in the USA," raw materials frequently come from other countries with less regulation. These raw materials may contain contaminants or adulterants before they ever reach the supplement manufacturer.

Inadequate quality control. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) placed supplements in a regulatory category that doesn't require pre-market approval from the FDA. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe—but that responsibility isn't verified before products reach consumers. The FDA only takes action after problems are identified, often through adverse event reports or testing by third parties.

Proprietary blends. Many supplements list ingredients as "proprietary blends" without disclosing specific amounts. This practice, legal under current regulations, makes it impossible for consumers to know exactly what they're taking—and provides cover for manufacturers who want to include undisclosed compounds.

Third-Party Testing Certifications to Look For

Given the limitations of FDA oversight, third-party testing programs have emerged to fill the gap. These certifications don't guarantee absolute safety, but they significantly reduce risk by testing products for banned substances before they reach consumers.

NSF Certified for Sport is the only third-party certification program recognized by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). It's also recognized by Major League Baseball, the NHL, NFL, NBA, PGA, and numerous other sports organizations. The certification requires:

• Testing for over 290 banned substances on every production lot
• Verification that label claims match actual contents
• Testing for contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides
• Annual or bi-annual facility audits for GMP compliance
• Ongoing surveillance testing of products purchased at retail

Products meeting these requirements carry the "NSF Certified for Sport" mark and are searchable in NSF's online database and mobile app, which includes a barcode scanner for verification.

Informed Sport is another respected certification program operated by LGC, a UK-based laboratory with decades of experience in anti-doping analysis. The program requires:

• Every batch tested for over 250 banned substances before release to market
• Manufacturing facility audits
• Ongoing blind testing of products purchased at retail
• Regular review of manufacturing procedures

Informed Sport is widely recognized internationally and increasingly accepted by American sports organizations. Products are searchable by batch number on the Informed Sport website, allowing verification of specific lots.

Both certifications test for substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list as well as compounds banned by major sports organizations. Both are compliant with military nutritional supplement regulations.

Which certification is better? For military members, either certification substantially reduces risk compared to uncertified products. NSF tests for slightly more substances (290 vs 250+) and includes contaminant testing beyond banned substances. NSF also maintains lot-testing records that could potentially support a defense if issues arise. However, both programs represent the gold standard in supplement safety—and both are dramatically safer than products without any third-party certification.

Red Flags When Buying Supplements

Even if you can't verify third-party certification, certain warning signs should prompt immediate skepticism:

Claims that sound too good. "Steroid-like results" or "pharmaceutical-grade" aren't just marketing hype—they may be accurate descriptions of products containing undisclosed drugs. Legitimate supplements produce modest effects. Products promising dramatic transformations are either lying or hiding something.

Proprietary blends without dosing information. When a label lists a "proprietary blend" of 5,000mg but doesn't tell you how much of each ingredient is included, you have no way to evaluate safety or efficacy. This opacity often masks underdosed effective ingredients or undisclosed compounds.

Obscure brand names with aggressive marketing. Established supplement companies have reputations to protect and face real consequences if their products cause positive drug tests. Unknown brands selling exclusively through social media or single websites have less to lose.

Products marketed specifically for "hormone support," "testosterone boosting," or "prohormone" effects. These categories carry the highest contamination rates in the research. Even products that don't contain banned substances often make claims unsupported by evidence.

Unusually low prices. Quality manufacturing and third-party testing cost money. If a product is dramatically cheaper than certified alternatives, ask why. The cost savings often come from skipped quality controls.

Purchase location matters. Products bought from overseas websites, auction sites, or unverified third-party sellers on major retail platforms carry elevated risk. Even legitimate products may have been stored improperly or counterfeited.

Safe Supplements for AFT Performance

Several supplements have strong research support for performance benefits and are available from certified manufacturers. We've covered some of these in detail in other articles:

Creatine monohydrate is the most extensively studied sports supplement, with decades of research supporting its safety and efficacy for strength and power. Multiple NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport options exist from major manufacturers.

Caffeine has robust evidence for endurance and cognitive performance benefits. It's available in certified forms through various products, though coffee works too.

Beta-alanine may benefit muscular endurance in efforts lasting 1-4 minutes. Certified options are available.

Protein powders from whey, casein, or plant sources help meet protein requirements. Many certified options exist, though whole food sources work equally well.

For any supplement you consider, verify certification status before purchase. Both NSF (nsfsport.com) and Informed Sport (informed-sport.com) maintain searchable databases of certified products. Use these resources—don't rely on packaging claims alone.

What to Do If You Test Positive

If you receive notification of a positive urinalysis result, understand that the situation is serious but not necessarily hopeless. Several steps may help:

Document everything immediately. Gather all supplement bottles, receipts, and any photos of products you've taken. This evidence may be critical later.

Request the specific substance identified. Knowing exactly what was detected helps determine whether supplements could plausibly be the source.

Consult legal assistance. Military legal assistance offices or civilian attorneys specializing in military law can advise on your specific situation. Don't make statements or sign documents without understanding the implications.

Consider independent testing. If you believe supplement contamination is responsible, having remaining product tested by an independent laboratory may provide evidence supporting your account. This testing isn't cheap, but it may be worthwhile given the stakes.

Understand the timeline. Administrative actions typically follow specific procedures with defined timelines. Understanding these procedures helps you respond appropriately at each stage.

None of this guarantees a favorable outcome. The best strategy remains prevention: choose supplements carefully, verify certifications, and recognize that no performance benefit is worth risking your career.

The Bottom Line

The research is clear: supplement contamination is common, consequential, and largely preventable through careful product selection. More than one in four supplements tested in research studies contained undeclared substances. In high-risk categories like muscle builders and fat burners, contamination rates approach 40%.

For Soldiers preparing for the AFT, the calculus is straightforward. Evidence-based supplements like creatine can provide real performance benefits—but only if they come from certified sources. The modest edge from supplementation isn't worth the career-ending risk of a contaminated product.

Before you buy any supplement, check the NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport databases. If the product isn't listed, don't take the risk. And remember: the supplements most likely to promise dramatic results are the same ones most likely to contain something that shouldn't be there.

Use the AFT Calculator to track how your training improves your scores. If you choose to supplement, make sure the products you trust have earned that trust through independent verification—not just marketing claims.