In October 2013, the city of
Irwindale, California, filed a lawsuit against the Huy Fong Foods factory after approximately 30 residents of the town complained of the spicy smells the factory was emitting while producing Sriracha sauce. The plaintiff initially sought an injunction enjoining Huy Fong from "operating or using" the plant.
[23] On November 27, 2013, Judge Robert H. O'Brien ruled partially in favor of the city, declaring Huy Fong Foods must cease any operations that could be causing the noxious odors and make changes to mitigate them, though he did not order that operations cease completely. According to the judge, although there was a "lack of credible evidence" linking locals' complaints of breathing trouble and watering eyes to the factory, the odor that could be "reasonably inferred to be emanating from the facility" is, for residents, "extremely annoying, irritating and offensive to the senses warranting consideration as a
public nuisance."
[24]
In late January 2014, the city of Irwindale announced it was expanding its case against Huy Fong Foods to include a claim of
breach of contract, alleging that the plant violated a condition of its operating permit by emitting harmful odors.
[25] The case was scheduled for jury trial in
Los Angeles Superior Court on November 3, 2014.
[26] On May 29, 2014, it was announced that Irwindale had dropped the lawsuit against Huy Fong Foods.
[27] During the legal battles, a Texas delegation offered incentives to move operations to
Denton.
[28] Other states had also made offers for potential relocation.
[29]
