TriVita Review (2026): The Nopalea Settlement and the Supplement MLM Behind It

TriVita in One Minute

TriVita is an Arizona-based supplement company founded in 1999 by Michael Ellison. It sells nutrition, weight loss and wellness products, along with skincare and household items, through a mix of direct marketing and an affiliate program with multi-level commissions. Its best-known product is Nopalea, a cactus fruit juice drink once heavily promoted on TV infomercials.

In July 2014, TriVita and its related companies agreed to pay $3.5 million for consumer refunds to settle FTC charges that they made unsupported health claims for Nopalea and used paid salespeople as supposedly ordinary customers in infomercials. This review explains that case and how the affiliate program works.

The FTC Settlement Over Nopalea

The FTC filed its complaint in July 2014 in federal court in Arizona against TriVita, Ellison Media Company, and Michael and Susan Ellison. The FTC alleged that ads, including long infomercials, claimed Nopalea could relieve pain, swelling, breathing problems, sinus infections and skin conditions such as psoriasis, and that these benefits were clinically proven. It also alleged that people presented as ordinary customers were actually TriVita salespeople who earned commissions.

The defendants agreed to provide $3.5 million for refunds, without admitting wrongdoing. The order bars them from making such claims without rigorous clinical trials, and requires them to disclose connections with endorsers. You can read the FTC's announcement.

The case was about product advertising, not about TriVita's business opportunity. But it shows the importance of being careful with any health claims you might repeat as an affiliate.

How the TriVita Affiliate Program Works

TriVita affiliate membership has been free to join, which is unusual. To earn commissions, affiliates have needed a small monthly minimum purchase, starting around 20 PV and rising to about 100 PV at higher ranks.

1. Earn bonuses on new customers' and affiliates' orders in their first 60 days, paid to the first three upline levels.
2. Earn unilevel commissions on retail and affiliate volume, up to seven levels.
3. Advance through ten ranks, with directors earning bonuses deeper than seven levels.

The plan pays a larger share on retail volume at the first level than on affiliate purchases, which is a better balance than many MLMs. Products have mostly been priced under $100.

What Do TriVita Affiliates Earn?

We could not find a current TriVita income disclosure. Without one, there is no way to judge typical earnings. The FTC's guidance on multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes recommends checking typical results before joining any program.

Is TriVita a Pyramid Scheme?

No regulator has found it to be one. Free membership, low monthly minimums and higher rates on retail volume all point away from a recruitment-driven model. The FTC case concerned health advertising, not the pay plan.

Is TriVita a Scam?

No. TriVita is a long-running company with real products and a relatively low-cost affiliate program. But its record includes a $3.5 million FTC settlement over unsupported health claims and the use of paid salespeople as testimonials, and we found no income disclosure. Be careful about the claims you make if you join.

Pros and Cons

Questions to Ask Before You Join

• What is the current monthly minimum to earn commissions?
• What does a typical affiliate earn, and is there a written disclosure?
• What product claims am I allowed to make?
• What are the refund terms?

Who TriVita Might Suit

TriVita may suit existing customers who want a discount and low-pressure way to share products. It is unlikely to be a meaningful income source for most people.

Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026

If TriVita isn't the right fit for you, here's what we suggest instead.

After comparing hundreds of programs over the years, we know what works and what doesn't. In fact, most of the business opportunities are either instant cash grab schemes or scams or they require experience. However, this beginner-friendly system stood out and is our #1 recommendation for 2026.

Other MLM Reviews

• Amare Global review: a supplement MLM the FTC sued in 2026.
• Total Life Changes review: a tea MLM where most active sellers earned nothing.
• Rain International review: a seed-based drink MLM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict on TriVita

TriVita's affiliate program is lower-cost than most MLMs, but the company's FTC settlement over Nopalea is a reminder that health claims carry real risk. It is not a strong path to meaningful income.