Sriracha Factory Given 90-Day Ultimatum as Spicy Fumes Declared a 'Public Nuisance' With residents of Irwindale, Calif., complaining of a burning sensation in their eyes and throats, a Sriracha factory must clean up shop.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

A Southern California community is feeling the Sriracha heat -- so much so that its city council has unanimously declared a local factory that churns out the cult-favorite hot sauce a "public nuisance."

With residents of Irwindale claiming that the factory's spicy fumes are burning their eyes and throats, the ruling states that Huy Fong Foods, which produces Sriracha, must submit a mitigation plan within 10 days and have the issue resolved by June 1.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District, a pollution control agency, has offered to help craft a solution that involves the use of active carbon filters, reports The Los Angeles Times.

Related: Listen Up: How to Respond to Customer Complaints

This isn't the first time that spicy Sriracha vapors have irritated Irwindale residents. Last October, the city sued Huy Fong Foods and asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to completely halt production on the sauce.

At the time however, the annual pepper-grinding season, which runs from August to October, had ended. That trial is set for later this year.

Huy Fong Foods opened its $40 million plant two years ago in Irwindale -- an industrial city of 1,400 residents. The privately company took in about $85 million last year, according to Fox News.

Related: How to Calculate and Reduce Your Business's Carbon Footprint

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This 30-Year-Old's $6,000-a-Month Side Hustle Started Making Money 'Immediately' — But He's Not Quitting His Day Job

Derrick Mathy works in orthopedic surgical device sales and is on a mission to bring people together in real life.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Starting a Business

Free Webinar | March 11: 3 Biggest Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make (And How to Fix Them)

Join award-winning entrepreneur and bestselling author Kim Perell on 3/11 for an exclusive International Women's Month webinar! Learn how to avoid the three biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make so you can build a thriving business. Register now!

Career

What Is 'Task Masking'? Young Workers Retaliate Against Return-to-Office Mandates With a Viral Strategy.

Many professionals value the flexibility of remote work — and they're not reacting well to forced in-office returns.