NAD Refers Claims for Health Energetic Labs’ ‘Growth’ Supplement to FTC for Further Review

New York, NY – Nov. 16, 2015 – The National Advertising Division has referred advertising claims for “HeightGrowth Plus,” a dietary supplement promoted as “scientifically proven to make you grow taller,” to the Federal Trade Commission for further review. Supplement maker Health Energetic Labs declined to participate in NAD’s review of its advertising claims.

NAD is an investigative unit of the advertising industry’s system of self-regulation. It is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus. As part of its ongoing monitoring, NAD requested substantiation for claims that appeared at the advertiser’s website, including:

• Clinically Proven Doctor Recommended!
• HeightGrowth Plus is Scientifically Proven to Make You Grow Taller
• Thickens The Cartilage Along The Entire Spinal Column!
• Growth of Stronger Bones & Increased Bone Density!
• Real Results – GUARANTEED!
• Our award-winning growth supplement has been proven to effectively produce real results so we’re sure it can work for you.
• Users see an average height increase of 2” – 6” inches. Some users can experience even greater gains!
• You will Grow Taller – All we ask is that you give us an opportunity to do for you what HeightGrowth Plus has already done for thousands of others.

NAD noted in its decision that the advertiser’s challenged claims promise consumers that they will grow taller and increase their bone density, among other things. NAD was concerned that the use of establishment claims to convey this message gives consumers a reason to believe that the claimed benefits have been proven by rigorous and reliable scientific study. Given the potential impact of these claims, NAD was disappointed that the advertiser declined to participate in the self-regulatory forum’s inquiry into the truth and accuracy of these claims.

In light of the advertiser’s failure to submit a substantive response to NAD’s inquiry, NAD has referred the claims to the FTC.

Note: A recommendation by NAD to modify or discontinue a claim is not a finding of wrongdoing and an advertiser’s voluntary discontinuance or modification of claims should not be construed as an admission of impropriety. It is the policy of NAD not to endorse any company, product, or service. Decisions finding that advertising claims have been substantiated should not be construed as endorsements.