Sriracha Factory Worker
Image Courtesy of Google Images
By Glenn Freeman
Irwindale – The Irwindale City Council unanimously declared Huy Fong Foods, makers of the popular Sriracha hot sauce, a nuisance at its April 9 council meeting. The City gave the sauce-maker 90 days to address the problem of strong chili odors emanating from its Irwindale factory.
The ruling came after a months-long investigation that began following the lodging of complaints to the City Council in September 2013. Nearby residents of the factory say the spicy odors have caused burning eyes, nose bleeds, heartburn, and issues with asthma.
In late November 2013, after Irwindale officials sued the company, a Los Angeles County judge issued a temporary halt in the offending production process to implement mitigation measures, conditions the City of Irwindale now say Huy Fong Foods has breached.
In the Nov. 26, 2013 ruling, Judge Robert H. O’Brien indicated that although there was a “lack of credible evidence” of health problems linked to the strong odors, he said it appears to be “extremely annoying, irritating and offensive to the senses warranting consideration as a public nuisance” and that it was “reasonably inferred to be emanating from the facility.”
At a public hearing held in February 2014 that was attended by supporters on both sides of the issue, Huy Fong Foods owner, David Tran, and plant workers, pleaded with the City not to force a shutdown. Nearby residents of the factory responded by saying they don’t want to shut it down, but want the conditions addressed.
Officials with Huy Fong said they had installed filters on the roof, and that the company was working with AQMD to find long-term solutions. Huy Fong’s attorney, John Tate, says the company hopes to fix the odor problem by June 1, in time for the peak chili grinding season that begins in late August, which residents say creates the strongest odors.
