Infomercial Firms to Pay $3.2 Million to End Probe

Infomercial marketers of anti-snoring, breast enhancement and men’s virility products agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle allegations that they made false and unsubstantiated claims, the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday.

The FTC requires that companies have scientific data to support any advertising claims about dietary supplements, foods, drugs or cosmetics.

The companies involved include closely held WellQuest International Inc. and Tony Hoffman Productions Inc. and their executives.

The FTC said the companies made unsubstantiated claims about three products: Bloussant, for breast enhancement; EnerX, for men’s virility; and D-Snore, to relieve snoring.

The $3.2-million settlement will be used for consumer redress, the FTC said. It said its crackdown on companies making unfounded advertising claims since December has resulted in 17 enforcement actions or settlements against businesses with about $1 billion in sales.

Representatives of WellQuest couldn’t be reached for comment. There was no listing for Tony Hoffman Productions in Newbury Park.