G.C.C STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO)  
 
 
 
 
 
Final Draft  
 
 
 
GSO 05/ SC3/F DS ---- / 2011  
 
 
 
General Requirements for Athlete Food  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepared By  
GSO Technical Sub-Committee for Genetic Modified Foods  
 
 
This document is a draft GSO Standard circulated for comments. It is, 
therefore, subject to alteration and modification and may not be referred to 
as a GSO Standard until approved by GSO Board Of Directors
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date of Board of Directors’    
approval: 
Issuing Status  : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
General Requirements for Athlete Food  
 
 
  
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
Foreword  
 
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regional Organization which consists of the 
National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO mai n functions is to issue Gulf 
Standards /Technical regulations through specialized technical committees (TCs).  
GSO through the technical program of sub-committee TC5/SC3 "Gulf sub-committee for Genetic 
Modified Foods " has prepared Gulf Standard for"  General Requirements for Athlete Food  “The 
Draft Standard has been prepared by Sultanate Of Oman . 
This standard has been approved as a Gulf Technical regulation by GSO Board of Directors in its 
meeting No. (), held on ……. ,  
).    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
 General Requirements for Athlete Food  
 
1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION  
This standard is concerned with the general requirements for athlete  foods  intended 
to be used for producing energy .  And does  not use for the purposes of treatment  or 
body build ing. 
 
2. COMPLEMENTARY REFERENCES  
2.1 GSO 9     "Labelling of Prepackaged Foods".  
2.2 GSO 654 “ General Requirements for Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses”  
2.3 GSO 168   “Conditions of Storage Facilities for Dry and Canned Foodstuffs”.  
2.4 GSO 839 “Package of Food Products – Part 1 – General Requirements ”. 
2.5 GSO 988 “ Limits of Radiation Levels Permitted in Foodstuffs”.  
2.6              GSO 841   “ Maximum Limits of Mycotoxins  Permitted in Foods  and Animal Feeds   
                                       - Aflatoxis “ 
2.7             CAC 192 “Codex General Standard for Food Additives”  
3. DEFINITIONS  
3.1 Athlete  Foods  
It is under the category of foods for special dietary uses and is  produc ed with high 
nutritional content, in the form of liquid or solid ( for example: energy bars, protein 
bars), to be used by individuals as part of a balanced diet to provide supplemental 
feeding. It is not intended to be used for weight loss, or as part of medical treatment. 
Athlete food is mainly produced from proteins, fa ts and carbohydrates in the form of 
powders, liquids, tablets or bars. It can be prepared  by one or more of the following 
components :  amino acids, vitamins, mineral nutrients, plant extracts, natural and 
artificial flavoring and fillers and may contain na tural sugars and dietary fiber  
3.1 Amino acids  
Amino acids are Organic compounds mainly consist of carbon, hydrogen , oxygen, 
and nitrogen , The amino acids are joined together to form the peptide consist of 
protein  (Appendix 1) which is divided into Essenti al and. on - Essential  amino acids   
3.1 Essential  Amino acids and Non - Essential  Amino acids  
Essential  amino acids are acids that the body needs extra amounts of them and 
obtained  its through supplied in the diet to cover the daily intake of them while non -
Essential  amino acids can configure by body cover the daily needs of them  
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
 4. REQUIREMENTS  
 The following requirements shall be met in product : 
4.1              Unless there are decrees which organise  the import and registration of these products, 
Member  States shall be registered the product with the relevant authorities to register 
includes  the following documents:   
4.1.1               An original and official of data sheet in full components, with its proportion  of each 
product .  
4.1.2                An original and official certificate to allow the production and sales in the country 
of manufacture.  
4.1.3                A statement bodies and countries that permitted the marketing of the product.  
4.1.4              Risk of misuse and cases that require stop eating  the product.  
4.1.5              Halal certificate showing that all the ingredients:  
- Free of alcohol and pork derivatives.  
- It should not be derivative from dead animals.  
- To be take from permitted animals and slaughtered according with Islamic rules.  
4.2              Ingredients should be according to the mention rates on the packaging with tolerance  
in Results of the analysis ± 5%.  
4.3              Product should  be free from steroids  that mention in Annex No. ( 2) Whether   
the natural o r artificial.  
4.4            Any material not listed in Annex No. (1) Should  be subject to evaluation by the 
competent authorities in each country member in GCC.  
4.5              Product must be free of any substances harmful to health or have interactions  with 
medications or treatment  May cause damage to health.  
4.6              Product should be free from any odor or taste that indicate to  spoilage and should be 
have the product characteristics Sensory.  
4.7               Product should not be intended for treatment  purposes  
4.8              Vitamins and minerals should  not be less than 15% of Daily intake specified  by WHO  
When used them in the production  and according to CODEX Guideline  No. 55 
“Guidelines  for Vitamin and  Mineral Food S upplements”      
4.9              The product packed in pharmaceutically form or not should be marketing according to 
the legislation each country.  
4.10            The microbiological criteria shall not exceed the following:  
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
microbial  criteria  Unit 
the total Count bacteria   10.000  cell / g  
Yeasts and molds  300 cell / g  
Coliform  10 cell / g  
E.coli  negative   
Salmonella  negative   
Staphylococcus arias   negative   
 
 
4.11           The toxic Heavy Metals should not exceed the amount which may represent a hazard 
to health i f present in the product   
4.12           Radiation limits should be according to GSO mentioned in item 2. 5. 
4.13           Mycotoxins limits should be according to GSO mentioned in item 2. 6. 
4.14          All limits of food additives such as flavours, colours..etc shall be according to the 
standard mentioned in item (2.7).  
5.               PACKAGING:         
                  Without prejudice to what is stated in the GSO item ( 2.4) the following conditions 
should be taking  into account when packing the con ditions:  
5.1              The product shall be packed in hygienic containers which it’s protects the 
characteristics quality  the product      
5.2           Container and packaging material shall be made of only safe substances and suitable 
for their intend ed use  
6.                TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE  
Without prejudice to what is stated in the GSO item ( 2.3) the container shall be 
transported and stored in such a way so as to protect them from  contamination  and 
damage at 25C °.  
 
7 .                LABE LLING  
Without  prejudice to the requirements of GSO Standard mentioned  in 2.1 the 
following information shall be written in Arabic and may be written in other 
language beside Arabic on the label of each packet for sale to consumer:  
 
7. 1 Name of the product  followed by “food supplement  for athletes ” with reference to 
the category  of nutrient “amino  acids,  vitamins, minerals” if necessary.  
7.2             list of ingredients s Statement involved in production.  
7.3              nutritional value or facts in 100 g or 100 ml or  serving as quantified on the label  GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
 7.4              Name and address of manufacturer, country  of manufacture , name of body  
registration and registration number if possible  
7.5              Name and address of the importer , name of body  registration  and registration number 
if possible.  
 7.6             Instructions and age  of use  
7.7               Statement “ not given except with the consent of a doctor or dieticians ” 
7.8              Cautionary statements if needed , especially in situations  that may cause allergic 
reactions to certain individuals.  
7.9              Net weight or volume and in the case of tables The number of tablets  shall be 
declared . 
7.10            Date of production  and expiration date.  
7.11            The statements “Keep  away from reach of children ”. 
7.12            Conditions of storage.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
Appendix 1  
Optional Ingredients  
List of Amino Acids  
Type  Average daily intake 
for adults Mg / kg / bw  Atomic mass 
(g \ mol) Code  Amino acid name 
Non- Essentiall  - 89,1 Ala Alanine  
Semi - Essentiall   - 174,20 Arg Arginine  
Non-Essential   - 132,12 Asn Asparagine  
Non-Essential   - 133,10 Asp Aspartate  
Non-Essential  4.1 
15 =Cys+  Met 121,16 Cys Cysteine  
Non-Essential  - 146,15 Gln Glutamate  
Non-Essential  - 147,13 Glu Glutamine  
Non-Essential  - 75,07 Gly Glycine  
Semi - Essential  - 155,16 His Histidine  
Essential  20 131,17 Ile Isoleucine  
Essential  39 131,1 7  Leu Leucine  
Essential  30 146,19 Lys Lysine  
Essential  10.4 149,21 Met Methionine  
Essential  25=Tyr+ Phe 165,19 Phe Phenylalanine  
Non-Essential  - 115,13 Pro Proline  
Non-Essential  - 105,09 Ser Serine  
Essential  15 119,12 Thr Threonine  
Essential  4 204,23 Trp Tryptophan  
Non-Essential  25=Tyr+ Phe 181,19 Tyr Tyrosine  
Essential  26 117,15 Val Valine  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
 
List of vitamins, minerals and other additives  
 
Vitamins Minerals Other ingredients 
Vitamin A  
 calcium lutein maltodextrin fructose 
Vitamin C 
(ascorbic acid)  
 
 
 
 Iodine choline Plant extracts Gluten 
Vitamin   Magnesium inositol triglyceride dextrose 
Vitamin E 
(tocopherol)  
 zinc Ginseng Coconut  flavor  3291  
 Cocoa 
 
Vitamin K  
 Selenium 
 lycope n  Pineapple  flavor  3511  
 Chocolate 
 
vitamin B 1 
(thiamin) Copper 
 Carotene 
 Acetyl -L-Carnitine  vanilla 
Vitamin B 2 
(riboflavin)  
 Manganese 
 taurine Microcrystalline Cellulose papain 
Vitamin B 3 
(niacin)  
 Chrome 
 dietary fiber 
 Oleic  acid  Pepsin 
 
Vitamin B 6 
(pyridoxine)  
 molybdenum Colors  allowed  
 Linoleic  acid  
 whey 
Folic acid -  
 Folate Phosphorus 
 Egg whites 
 Stearic acid  
Vitamin B 12 
(cobalamine)  
 Potassium 
  Whey Protein  
Biotin 
 chloride  Additives  allowed  
  
Vitamin B5 
(Pantothenic 
acid)  Sodium 
 isoflavones soy ginger root powder  
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
Appendix  (2) 
List of Substances which are banned  to be used in Athlete Food   
Trivial Name  Abbreviation(s)  Systematic Name  
Cholesterol  Chol] 5-cholesten -3beta -ol 
Progestins  
Pregnenolon e P5 or Preg  3beta -hydroxy -5-pregnen -20-one 
17-hydroxypregnenolone  17-OHP5] or 17P5  3beta,17 -dihydroxy -5-pregnen -20-one 
Progesterone  P4 or P  4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
17-hydroxyprogesterone  17-OHP4or 17OHP or 
17P4  17-hydroxy -4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
Androgens  
Androstenedione  A4 or AE  4-androstene -3,17-dione  
4-hydroxy -Androsten edione  4-OH-A  
11β-hydroxyandrostenedione  11βOHA4 or 11βOHΔ4 or 
OHA] 11beta -4-androstene -3,17-dione  
Androstanediol  Adiol  3-beta,17 -beta-Androstanediol  
Androsterone  AN 3alpha -hydroxy -5alpha -androstan -17-one 
Epiandrosterone  EPIA  3beta -hydroxy -5alpha -androstan -17-one 
Adrenosterone  AT 4-androstene -3,11,17 -trione  
Dehydroepiandrosterone  DHEA or DHA  3beta -hydroxy -5-andro sten-17-one 
Dehydroepiandrosterone  
Sulphate  DHEAS or DHAS  3beta -sulfooxy -5-androsten -17-one 
Testosterone  T 17beta -hydroxy -4-androsten -3-one 
Epitestosterone  epiT 17alpha -hydroxy -4-androsten -3-one 
5α-dihydrotestosterone  DHT or 5α -DHT  17beta -hydroxy -5alpha -androstan -3-one 
5β-dihydrotestosterone  5β-DHT  17beta -hydroxy -5beta -androstan -3-one 
11β-hydroxytestoster one OHT or 11β -OHT  11beta,17beta -dihydroxy -4-androsten -3-one 
11-ketotestosterone  11-KT 17beta -hydroxy -4-androsten -3,17-dione  
Estrogens  
Estrone  E1 3-hydroxy -1,3,5(10) -estratrien -17-one 
Estradiol  E2 1,3,5(10) -estrat riene -3,17beta -diol 
Estriol  E3 1,3,5(10) -estratriene -3,16alpha,17beta -triol 
Corticosteroids  
Corticosterone  B or CORT  11beta,21 -dihydroxy -4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
Deoxycorticosterone  DOC  21-hydrox y-4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
Cortisol  F 11beta,17,21 -trihydroxy -4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
11-Deoxycortisol  S 17,21-dihydroxy -4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
Cortisone  E 17,21 -dihydroxy -4-pregnene -3,11,20 -trione  
18-hydroxycorticosterone  18OHB or 18B  11beta,18,21 -trihydroxy -4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
1α-hydroxycorticosterone  1α-B 1alpha,11beta,,21 -trihydroxy -4-pregnene -3,20-dione  
Aldosterone  A or ALDO  18,11 -hemiacetal of 11beta,21 -dihydroxy -3,20-
dioxo -4-pregnen -18-al 
 
 
 
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011          
                   
  
 
  
 
List of monitored materials used in the manufacturing of Athlete food  
 
Manufacturer's name  : Optim um nutrition  Manufacturer's name  : universal nutrition  
Oyster  White willow extract  Zinc pivolinate  Milk thistle  
  Saw palmetto  4- androstnedione  mycozyme  
Ginkgo biloba  Pygeum africanum  19-nor-5-androstenedione  Cytochrome c  
Nettle  Bitter orange extract  5-androstenediol  Ox bile  
Cryptoxanthin  Para- aminobenzoic acid  Dehydroepiandrosterone  Bromelain  
Zeaxanthin  Triphala extract  Tribulus terristis L  Goldenseal  
Inositol  Chitosan ( fiber)  Glucosamine sulfat  Smilagenin  
Dong Quai  Alfa lipoic acid  Pyridoxine – alfa ketoglutarate  Chrysin  
Damiana  Citrus bioflavonoide  Vanadyl sulfate  Saw palmetto  
Hesperidin  Garcinia cambogia extract  Pygrum Africanum  Campesterol  
Rutin  Deodorized garlic  Lysophosphatidylcholine  Pancreatin  
Ostivone  GugulipidylCHOLINE  Smilax aristo lochiaefolia  Dibencozide  
Betaine  Dandelion leaf powder  Coleus forskohlii extract  L- carnosine  
 Cayenne fruit powder  Arginine pyroglutamate  Ferulic acid  
Coenzyme Q10  Dehydroepiandrosterone 
(DHEA)  Gamma oryzanol  Betaine HCI  
 CHROMIUM PICOLINATE  Colostrum s IGF  Fucosterol  
 Ma huang extract  Beta – sitosterol   
 Chasteberry extract  Shark cartilage  Octacosanal  
 phosphatidylcholine  5- methyl -7- methoxyisoflavone  Inosine  
 Butchers broom powder  7- isopropoxyisoflavone  Stigmasterol  
  20- hydroxecdysone  tribo xybol  Avena sativa 1x  
  5.7-dihydroxyflavone  Medicago sativa  
  Alpha lipoic acid  Kudzu  
 
This list needs  to be reviewed by the concerned authorities of each country to demonstrate the 
following : 
 •Any prohibited material with the reasons for the ban and international references for this ban . 
 •Any material is not allowed to be given only under the supervision of a doctor . 
 •Any material you need, or proposes to sell in the pharmacy . 
 •Materials proposed to be removed for the extension of the optional data . 
 •This list is not final . 
 •Any material not restricted will be transferred to the extension of the optional components . 
 
 GSO STANDARD                                                                     GSO ---- /2011