WASHINGTON, D.C. — TruHeight and its two principals must pay $750,000 and stop making unsupported claims that their supplements increase children’s and teenagers’ height under a Federal Trade Commission order finalized over alleged deceptive advertising and review practices.
The order resolves the FTC’s April 2026 case against Vanilla Chip LLC, which operates as TruHeight, and principals Eden Stelmach and Justin Rapoport.
Regulators alleged the company marketed supplements as capable of promoting height growth without competent and reliable scientific evidence supporting those claims.
The FTC also accused TruHeight of using reviews written by employees and vendors, as well as reviews from customers offered free products or discounts in exchange for five-star ratings.
According to the complaint, the company operated fake social media profiles that appeared to belong to real consumers but were controlled by automated accounts.
The final order imposes a $4 million judgment, with all but $750,000 suspended because of the defendants’ reported inability to pay the full amount.
TruHeight, Stelmach and Rapoport are prohibited from making false or unsubstantiated claims about height growth. Any future statements about a covered product’s health benefits, performance, effectiveness, safety or side effects must be truthful and supported by reliable scientific evidence.
The order also bars the defendants from misrepresenting whether a reviewer exists, used a product or had a particular experience with it.
They may not purchase or solicit consumer reviews conditioned on a positive or negative opinion.
The commission voted 2-0 to finalize the complaint and order and issue a response to a public commenter.
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