Relax chile heads, Sriracha factory officially not a public nuisance

Sriracha fans may finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief. The Irwindale City Council voted Wednesday to drop its declaration that the Huy Fung Foods hot sauce factory was a public nuisance, as well as a lawsuit against the company.

The decision came just a day after City Manager John Davidson, Mayor Mark Breceda and Councilman Julian Miranda toured the plant where the popular hot sauce is made with owner David Tran.

Irwindale had filed the lawsuit in October after numerous residents complained of sore throats, nosebleeds, burning eyes and other health conditions claimed to have been caused by the chile odor from the plant.

Huy Fong Foods was expected to submit an action plan and have the smell taken care of by June 1, The Times’ Frank Shyong reported, but city officials declared the factory a public nuisance in April.

During the nine-month battle, officials from other states, including Texas state Rep. Jason Villalba, have expressed interest in luring Huy Fong Foods away from California. Tran has not said he will move the company from Irwindale.