The citizens of Irwindale, California can't handle the heat. Or rather, the smell. The city is home to Huy Fong Foods' production plant, where they make the popular spicy red elixir known as Sriracha. The hot sauce's green-tipped goodness is known far and wide. But here in Irwindale, it apparently just stinks -- enough for the city the file a lawsuit: Sriracha sauce factory odor causing headaches, burning eyes, city says.
Residents have been complaining of burning eyes, irritated throats and headaches caused by the potent odor emanating from the Sriracha production facilities. Officials have reportedly tried work with Huy Fong representatives to address the smell, to no avail. This week, the city of Irwindale filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming that the smell is a public nuisance and asking a judge to stop production until the smell can be reduced.
Huy Fong Foods, which makes two other sauces, had operated out of two buildings in Rosemead since the late 1980s. The company began sauce production in a 655,000-square-foot factory in Irwindale last year.Yo, I love Sriracha. I would love for its spicy odor to descend upon my outdoor birthday party festivities. Part of me thinks that the people of Irwindale are just weak sauce. Pun intended.
All of the chili needed for producing the year's sauce is processed and stored during a three-month period beginning as early as September and concluding sometime before or during December.
The city is asking a judge to stop production at the hot sauce factory until the company submits a plan of action for mitigating the spicy odors, Galante said.
"If they fix it and the odor problems stop, we don't need this order; but so far the odor complaints continue," said Galante, who said about 30 residents have filed or signed complaints to the city about the smell.
But then again, I don't live in Irwindale, and don't have to deal with the scent of Sriracha on the daily. I imagine that in large quantities -- straight from the source -- that's a pretty potent odor. But shut down the plant?! Noooooo! There's got to be a way for all of us to live in hot sauce harmony.
Worse news for the rest of us -- Huy Fong CEO David Tran says a shutdown of the factory could mean a hike in the price of Sriracha. WHAT? Start hoarding your bottles now: Sriracha CEO Warns a Factory Shutdown Will Cause Price Spike for Beloved Rooster Sauce.