Impossible Foods announced that its Impossible Beef and Impossible Burger products have become the first plant-based meats to earn NSF Certified for Sport® status. This certification recognizes the products as meeting the high standards required for athletes, particularly those in professional sports, for whom the certification is often a prerequisite.
“This certification is further proof that… athletes, dietitians and all consumers can feel good about our products”
NSF Certified for Sport® is a certification program designed to ensure products are free from banned substances and harmful contaminants. It also ensures that the nutritional claims on product labels are accurate. The program is widely trusted by professional athletes, trainers, and sports dietitians, including organizations such as the MLB, NHL, and NFL.
The gold standard in sports
Peter McGuinness, CEO of Impossible Foods, explained the significance of this certification for the company, stating, “NSF Certified for Sport is the gold standard in sports. It’s a huge deal to have Impossible Foods certified as the first plant-based meat available to athletes. This certification is further proof that we’re holding ourselves accountable, and that athletes, dietitians and all consumers can feel good about our products.”
Opening doors to major sports leagues
The certification opens up the potential for Impossible Foods’ products to be included in the diets of athletes across multiple professional sports organizations, including the MLB, which has specific requirements for food safety and ingredient transparency. Demand for plant-based protein options from sports nutritionists has been increasing, with many seeking plant-based alternatives to meet athletes’ nutritional needs.
Impossible Foods’ plant-based products contain 19 grams of protein per serving, comparable to the protein content found in animal meats. The products also have 40% less total fat and 33% less saturated fat compared to conventional 80/20 animal beef, with no cholesterol or trans fat. In addition to protein, they provide carbohydrates, B vitamins, and electrolytes like potassium.
Becci Roehl, a veteran sports dietitian, noted the value of offering plant-based protein options like Impossible Beef for athletes: “All athletes need protein, but the type of protein the athlete prefers varies person to person. Having a plant-based protein that is NSF Certified for Sport, like Impossible Beef, will add a new weapon to our arsenal, helping athletes to be resilient; staying available on the field for optimal performance.”
Impossible goes on the road
In addition to the certification announcement, Impossible Foods plans to showcase its NSF Certified for Sport® products at several upcoming events. The company will participate in the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo® (FNCE) in Nashville, Tennessee from October 11-14, where attendees will have the chance to sample a range of Impossible products, including the Impossible Lite Beef, which holds health certifications from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.
Later this month, the company will also bring its “Protein Bar” pop-up to the Chicago and Detroit Marathons, offering protein-packed snacks to athletes and spectators.
David Trosin, Senior Director of Nutrition and Wellness at NSF, commented on the certification, stating, “NSF welcomes Impossible Foods to the Certified for Sport program as the first and only fresh food to reach our highest level of certification for athletes and active consumers.”
