by JAMES S. KIM
Sriracha lovers (and, yes, there are many of them in our community) can breathe easy: There will be no Sriracha shortage anytime soon, after the Irwindale City Council dismissed a lawsuit and a public nuisance declaration against Huy Fong Foods, which manufactures and distributes the beloved green-capped hot sauce.
The city, 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, dropped its complaint against the company following a closed-door meeting on Tuesday with Huy Fong Foods CEO David Tran, other city officials and representatives from California Gov. Jerry Brown’s Business and Economic Development Office.
“We forged a relationship. Let’s keep that going,” City Councilman Julian Miranda told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on Wednesday.
Irwindale filed a lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court and sought a temporary restraining order to halt operations at Tran’s company in October after residents complained of the fumes coming from the factory during chili grinding season. The city council then unanimously deemed the smell a public nuisance last month, determining that the Sriracha factory breached its contract with the city.
The ongoing battle had sparked fears of a Sriracha shortage, as well as speculation that Tran would follow Toyota’s lead and move the factory to Texas. It didn’t help that Texas politicians visited the Sriracha factory earlier this month in an effort the lure the company to expand.
Following the meeting on Tuesday, however, the city council made an about-face after Tran made a written commitment to the city that he would modify the rooftop air filtration system if neighbors detect an odor when the chili grinding season begins. This grinding season starts in August and runs through the end of November. Tran recently tested the system by releasing pepper stray inside the factory underneath the vents.
“I believe he stands by his word,” said Irwindale Mayor Mark Breceda. “I will say that I believe that not always lawsuits are good for any business or any community. It’s not only hurtful but expensive. I don’t believe at this point that it was the right way to go, but certain things had to be done.”
Image via San Gabriel Valley Tribune
