Culture Farms Inc. of Lawrence, Kan., has...

Culture Farms Inc. of Lawrence, Kan., has been prohibited by a Kansas court from purchasing soured milk cultures being grown by an estimated 15,000 U.S. investors. Hundreds of Orange County residents are among the investors and the company that purportedly is manufacturing cosmetics produced from the sour milk cultures is headquartered in Irvine.

Kansas joined California, Florida and Oregon in taking legal action against the culture-growing business when the court refused to block a permanent cease-and-desist order issued Monday by Kansas Security Commissioner John Wurth. Wurth contended in court that the culture kits represent the unregistered sale of more than $63 million worth of investment contracts. John C. Frieden, a Topeka attorney who represents Activator Supply Co., declined to comment on the ruling.