IRWINDALE, Calif., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles judge has denied a request by the city of Irwindale to shut down a factory where the popular hot chili sauce Sriracha is made.
The city filed a public nuisance complaint against Huy Fong Foods after nearby residents complained of a "strong, offensive chili odor" coming from the factory, resulting in headaches and irritation to their eyes and throats, the Pasadena (Calif.) Star-News reported.
However, Superior Court Judge Robert H. O'Brien on Thursday denied Irwindale's request, saying the request for a temporary restraining order was "rather edgy."
June Ailin, a lawyer for the city, said she was not surprised by judge's denial of the restraining order.
"It's very difficult to get even under the best of circumstances," she said.
Ailin added that 18 people submitted complaints to the City Council last week and that more than 50 people signed a petition saying they were bothered by the smell.
"We recognize that not 100 percent of the population is annoyed by the odor," Ailin told the judge. "If it's just somebody saying I smell something, that's one thing, but when people are telling us that medical conditions are aggravated by it that's something else."
Huy Fong Foods lawyer John Tate said filters were installed on the roof of the factory this week and the South Coast Air Quality Management District will be monitoring the air quality.
The company began operating in Irwindale last year. At that time, some residents complained of a smell and the company installed active carbon filters last year, which proved to be ineffective when making Sriracha this year.
