Sriracha's factory in the Los Angeles suburb of Irwindale has officially been deemed a public nuisance, the City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday.
In a 4-0 ruling, councilmembers declared the smell of spicy chili peppers from Los Angeles-based condiment company Huy Fong Foods' production site a city-wide issue. They've issued a 90-day deadline for the hot sauce makers to diminish the scent.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Huy Fong's attorney John Tate insisted the company planned to present a proposal in the next 10 days on ways to fix the smell. But the council remained steadfast in its decision, citing a report by the South Coast Air Quality Management District that demonstrated a way to use carbon filters to ease the fumes.
"The City Council is determined to assert its authority, regardless of the status of the odor remediation efforts," Tate told the Times.
Citizens of Irwindale have been locked in a legal battle with Huy Fong Foods since October 2013, when local reports of "burning eyes, irritated throats and headaches," started surfacing. Some residents said the stench of fresh, ground chiles wafting from the factory caused people living nearby to move all outdoor activities inside. NBC Los Angeles reported at the time that some vacated their homes until the putrid fumes subsided.
Since then, Huy Fong Foods has gone back and forth with city officials, who eventually filed a law suit against the company.
A representative who spoke on the behalf of State Sen. Ed Hernandez during Wednesday night's meeting called Huy Fong Foods one of the "shining stars" of the San Gabriel Valley's business community. In a statement, the politician offered to help Huy Fong find an alternative location for its factory.
"I ask that the city of Irwindale reject this inflammatory and unnecessary 'public nuisance' designation and constructively work with Huy Fong Foods to resolve these issues," Hernandez wrote.
Sriracha's factory was placed on temporary, partial shutdown in November of last year, then narrowly avoided another closure by the city in February 2014. A judge will ultimately decide whether to shut the factory's doors for good during a trial scheduled for November.
