Peptides under greater scrutiny in MLB’s performance-enhancing drug battle

Peptides, typically formulated from raw materials imported from China, are available for sale on dozens of websites from suppliers based in the USA and Canada. MLB is “well aware” of the websites and the fact that peptides have become a preferred way for many players to dope, a person with knowledge of MLB’s investigation into such substances told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.Now, Major League Baseball is investigating how and where peptides got into the systems of its players, amid concerns that more may test positive as the 2016 season unfolds.

The person said potential suppliers aren’t the only problem; peptides, while banned in sports, are not classified as controlled substances.

DEA spokesperson Rusty Payne told USA TODAY Sports that the products — often sold as research chemicals on websites and are labeled “not for human consumption” — are illegal, even if they are not scheduled drugs like anabolic steroids.

“Labeling them ‘not for human consumption’ doesn’t mean anything,” Payne said. “It doesn’t absolve them from any wrongdoing. They still don’t have FDA approval to market these products. They are not operating under a legal framework.”

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Federal charges were brought last year against a Florida man who ran two websites that sold peptides labeled “not for human use. “ An investigation by the Food and Drug Admiration found the supplier “intended that the products be used by consumers for bodybuilding purposes.”