TruHeight fined for height-based growth claims, bogus online 'reviews'
Nutrition supplement aimed at children promises to boost height. FTC is not impressed.
The promoters behind the TruHeight line of nutrition supplements have agreed to pay $750,000 and to stop making false health claims and using fake or "incentivized" consumer reviews.
The order finalized by the Commission settles allegations, brought by the FTC in April 2026, that TruHeight and its two principals, Eden Stelmach and Justin Rapoport, deceptively advertised the effectiveness of a range of supplements that claim to boost height growth in children and teenagers.
The complaint also alleged that TruHeight and its principals relied on reviews that were written by their own employees and vendors, or by consumers who were offered a free product or discount in return for writing a 5-star review.
Pediatricians' choice?
On its website, TruHeight claims to be the "Number 1 pediatrician recommended brand for healthy growth and development" but gives no support for that claim.
The FTC alleged that TruHeight’s height-based growth claims were unsubstantiated because TruHeight lacked competent and reliable scientific evidence to back them up. TruHeight also used fake social media profiles that were in reality run by bots while masquerading as belonging to real, existing users, according to the complaint.
The company's products are sold at major retail outlets including Amazon, Walmart and Target.
The FTC’s final order imposes a $4 million judgment on TruHeight and its principals, which will be partially suspended after they pay $750,000 based on their inability to pay the full amount. The proposed order also prohibits TruHeight, Stelmach and Rapoport from:
- Making false or unsubstantiated height and growth claims;
- Making any claims about the health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety or side effects of any product covered by the order, unless the claim is not misleading and is supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence;
- Misrepresenting that a reviewer exists, that a reviewer used the product, service or business being reviewed, or the reviewer’s experience with the product, service or business being reviewed; and
- Buying consumer reviews conditioned on a particular sentiment, whether positive or negative, about the product being reviewed.
