Debate Over Sriracha Factory Heats Up

IRWINDALE (CBSLA.com) — City leaders held a public hearing Wednesday night to discuss the complaints that keep being leveled against the Sriracha hot sauce factory in South Los Angeles.

Irwindale residents say smells from the plant are causing nose bleeds and sore throats.

"We get really clogged, our noses, and you can't breathe to the point you're actually choking," Irwindale resident Carmen Roman said.

The city sued parent company Huy Fong Foods over the matter in October, seeking to temporarily shut down the factory. Superior Court Judge Robert H. O'Brien denied the request for a restraining order but ordered the company to stop emitting offensive odors.

Resident Theresa Chico said her daughter is still suffering from the odors.

"She experiences burning or her eyes get irritated more than it usually does," Chico said.

Irwindale City Attorney Fred Galante says Huy Fong Foods haven't made any changes.

"Since that time, we just haven't received any affirmative statement that the factory will be complying with that order," Galante said.

In December, the California Department of Public Health halted Sriracha production for a month due to health concerns. The month has passed and production has resumed.

Irwindale residents say they don't want the Sriracha plant to leave their city they just want the company to fix the problem.

"We'd like to live peacefully with them. I mean, we brought them in," Roman said.

Galante said if Huy Fong Foods stops emitting the odors by Feb. 26, then they'll call off a scheduled public nuisance hearing.

A phone call made to Huy Fong Foods Wednesday was not returned.