A dietary supplement maker will pay $200,000 and change its ways after federal officials accused the company of making false claims that its products could treat speech difficulties associated with autism.

Under a settlement agreement, the Federal Trade Commission said NourishLife, LLC and its owner, Mark Nottoli, will stop making unsubstantiated claims that their products are effective at treating various speech disorders.

The supplements called Speak were sold online since at least 2008 as softgels, capsules and in liquid form at a cost of more than $70 per bottle, the FTC said.

Claims that the products were “clinically proven to develop and maintain normal, healthy speech and language” were made in online advertisements and the supplements were marketed at autism conferences, the agency said.

“Parents of children with speech disorders need accurate information about products that may be able to help,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This company took advantage of parents’ trust.”

Under the agreement, the company is not admitting to or denying the allegations, but agrees to stop making assertions that its products will normalize speech for children with apraxia, autism or other developmental conditions.

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