Sriracha Factory Declared A Public Nuisance

Say it isn't so! The beloved Sriracha hot sauce — which has fans slathering it on everything from burgers, to wontons, and even on popcorn — may be in serious danger. Huy Fong Foods, the parent company that makes Sriracha, has been at odds with their factory's host city of Irwindale, Calif. for months now because the residents claim that their eyes and noses are offended by the smell of chili all day long.  Despite the fact that Huy Fong's attorneys have said that the company was working on fixing and eliminating the offensive odors by June 1st, the Irwindale City Council voted this week that the Sriracha factory was a "public nuisance," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Air quality officials have declared that the smell could be fixed through active carbon filters. Once the City Council decides to adopt this resolution, the factory will have 90 days to fix the offensive odor, otherwise the city itself will have authority to go in and make changes to assuage the eye-watering community.

So what does this mean for our favorite hot sauce? Even though the term "public nuisance" is a strong one, Irwindale officials want to keep the factory where it is, and not tear it down.

"I respect the fact that they are here. But they know there's a problem and it needs to be fixed," Councilman Albert Ambriz said.

Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi