Kansas officials shut down an investment fad.

The Kansas state attorney general and the state securities commissioner issued an order prohibiting nine companies, including two California firms, from doing business in Kansas. State authorities said they believe that the nine firms, connected with an investment operation based on growing cultures from soured milk, are selling unregistered securities through a pyramid marketing structure. House of Cleopatra’s Secret Inc., Palm Springs, and Rontel Telemarketing of Encino were named in the Kansas order. Spokesmen for both firms said they believe that the order does not affect them because they are California corporations. An attorney for Cleopatra’s Secret said a Kansas court judge overturned the order late Wednesday, but that action could not be confirmed.