FTC finalizes TruHeight order over supplement growth claims
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a formal order against Vanilla Chip LLC, the company behind the brand TruHeight. This decision follows allegations that the supplement maker misled customers by claiming their products could increase the height of children and teenagers without sufficient scientific proof. The commission voted to move forward with the order after a public comment period regarding the initial settlement.
Under the terms of this final order, TruHeight must pay 750,000 dollars. The original judgment was for 4 million dollars, but the agency suspended the remaining balance due to the company's stated inability to pay. This agreement places strict legal limits on how the brand can advertise its products moving forward. Any future health claims, including those regarding height growth, must be backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence, specifically including randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled human clinical trials.
The order also addresses how the company handles consumer feedback. TruHeight is now prohibited from misrepresenting testimonials or reviews. The brand cannot offer any form of incentive to consumers in exchange for favorable feedback, nor can it suppress negative reviews. This marks a significant shift in the operational requirements for the business.
Company leadership reports that these regulatory findings prompted them to adopt new internal compliance measures. According to a spokesperson, TruHeight implemented a formal review process overseen by outside regulatory counsel nearly 18 months ago. These changes now cover all marketing materials, influencer content, and testimonial collection procedures. While the process was described as challenging from a financial and operational perspective, the company states it is now focused on meeting these higher standards to maintain trust with regulators and retailers.