"100% pure creatine" is printed on a lot of jars that aren't. Adulterated, underdosed and outright counterfeit creatine is a real problem on Indian marketplaces — refilled jars, copied labels, and powders cut with maltodextrin or plain flour. Here are six checks anyone can do, no lab required.
1. Read the ingredient list — it should have exactly one line
Pure creatine monohydrate's ingredient list reads: "Creatine Monohydrate." That's it. If you see maltodextrin, dextrose, "proprietary blend", anti-caking agents or unexplained flavour ingredients in an unflavored product — it's not 100% creatine. (Flavored versions will legitimately list flavour and sweetener; the creatine content per serving should still be stated exactly, e.g. 3g.)
2. Find the FSSAI licence number on the pack
Every legal supplement sold in India must show the manufacturer's FSSAI licence on the label. No licence number = no accountability = walk away. You can cross-check any number on FSSAI's public FoSCoS portal. Coremax prints both its manufacturer and marketer licences on every jar.
3. Ask for third-party lab reports
A brand serious about purity tests every batch at an independent lab — for creatine content, heavy metals and banned substances — and will show certifications (HACCP, GMP, ISO). "Lab tested" written in a fancy font is a claim; a certificate with a batch number is proof.
4. Do the dissolve test at home
Stir 3g into a glass of warm water for 30–45 seconds. Properly micronised (200-mesh) creatine disperses into a near-clear suspension with fine particles that settle slowly. Red flags: instant fizzing, sweet taste in an unflavored powder (added sugars), strong chemical smell, or chunky residue that never breaks up.
5. Check the batch code and expiry
Genuine products have a printed (not stickered) batch number and expiry date. A sticker over another batch code is the classic refill giveaway.
6. Best of all: per-jar verification codes
Hologram stickers get copied. The strongest anti-fake system is a unique code inside every pack that you verify on the brand's website — a code can only ever validate once. Every Coremax jar ships with one; you check it in ten seconds at coremax.in → Verify and instantly see whether your jar is genuine.
Red flags when buying online
- Prices far below every other listing (₹150 for 250g isn't a deal — it's flour)
- Third-party marketplace sellers with no brand authorisation
- No FSSAI number visible in listing photos
- Reviews mentioning "different taste than last time" — a classic refill signal
The safest route
Buy directly from the brand's own store, confirm the FSSAI licence, and verify your jar's code on arrival. If you want that full chain of proof in one product: Coremax is made in India in an FSSAI-licensed, HACCP/GMP/ISO-certified facility, third-party lab tested, micronised to 200-mesh, and every jar is individually verifiable — from ₹499.
FAQ
Does "micronised" mean more pure?
No — micronisation is about particle size (mixability). Purity and micronisation are separate checks; you want both.
Is Creapure better than Indian creatine?
Creapure is a respected German raw material, but the finished product still depends on the packer. A lab-tested, FSSAI-licensed Indian monohydrate offers the same molecule with local accountability — see our full brand comparison.
How much creatine per day?
3–5g daily. Details: Is creatine safe to take every day?