Hidden Hunger International launched in mid-2013 from Texas, co-founded by Ruel and Angel Morton. Morton previously claimed to be the "Number 1 Top Money Earner" at Fortune High-Tech Marketing (FHTM), a company the FTC and three state attorneys general later shut down as a pyramid scheme.

Morton often appeared in FHTM's official marketing materials, identified as a "Presidential Ambassador." The FTC, alongside the attorneys general for Illinois, Kentucky, and North Carolina, acted against FHTM earlier the same year. These agencies alleged the company operated as a pyramid scheme. A federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois subsequently appointed a receiver and ordered an asset freeze for FHTM.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway stated, "This is the beginning of the end for one of the most prolific pyramid schemes operating in North America." He described FHTM as "a classic pyramid scheme in every sense of the word," adding that "The vast majority of people, more than 90 percent, who bought in to FHTM lost their money." A top FTC official called FHTM a "rigged game." Just before the company's shutdown, Morton had publicly declared Fortune High Tech "the most lucrative financial opportunity in the history of the country."

Hidden Hunger International itself offers no retailable products or services. Instead, affiliates join the company and purchase "Child Micronutrient Packs" for $9.90 each. HHI claims to use "30 cents on the dollar to fuel the cause." The company's compensation plan identifies this "cause" as HHI's commission payouts. HHI states the remaining 70 cents in every dollar purportedly goes "for the CHILDREN."

The Hidden Hunger International compensation plan centers on affiliates buying these Child Micronutrient Packs. Members can earn commissions ranging from 5% to 25% on each pack. HHI pays commissions using a unilevel compensation structure. An affiliate occupies the top position of a unilevel team, with every personally recruited affiliate placed directly under them on level 1.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway noted that over 90 percent of participants in FHTM lost money.