Sales of Personal Alcohol Testers Halted

Facing allegations of false advertising, Sharper Image has agreed to stop selling a personal alcohol breath-testing device that the company claimed was "accurate to .001-percent blood-alcohol content," the San Jose Mercury News reported July 7.

Under an agreement with the Monterey County (Calif.) District Attorney's Office, the company agreed to pay $1.2 million in restitution and $100,000 in penalties for misrepresenting the effectiveness of the testing device. Sharper Image also agreed to stop selling the devices.

Independent tests by the San Diego Consumer Protection Unit found that the accuracy claims were incorrect. Sharper Image admitted no wrongdoing under the settlement agreement, but will issue refunds to those who bought the devices.