A judge refused Thursday to order an immediate halt to production of the internationally popular hot sauce Sriracha at a Southern California factory that local residents say is stinking up their neighborhoods with pepper and garlic fumes.
In rejecting the city of Irwindale's request for a temporary restraining order, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert O'Brien indicated he wasn't given enough time to consider the case.
"You're asking for a very radical order on 24-hour notice," O'Brien told attorney June Ailin, representing the city.
Instead, O'Brien scheduled a Nov. 22 hearing to consider issuing a preliminary injunction.
The city of Irwindale filed a suit Monday requesting all production stop at the facility until the smell is contained. The company opened a large factory in the city last year. The suit alleges that the factory in Irwindale, California is making life unbearable for nearby residents.
"Residents began complaining last month about a strong odor as well as burning eyes, irritated throats and folks got headaches too," according toKPIX.
"Feeling your nose tingling, you want to sneeze. It's like cooking chilis in your house and you have that little cough, that itch in your throat," one resident said. (Via WSYX)
The Los Angeles Times reports city representatives have met with Huy Fong Foods before to try to solve the problem.
The company's CEO said it has worked to address the complaints, already installing filters and getting two inspections from air quality inspectors who found nothing wrong. (Via The New York Times)
He also says none of his workers have reported any symptoms. But according to the city’s attorney...
"The odors are so strong and offensive as to have caused residents to move outdoor activities indoors and even to vacate their residences temporarily to seek relief from the odors," according to KOVR.
So far, the Los Angeles Times reports about 30 residents have filed or signed complaints about the odor.
>> See more at: Newsy.com
(AP contributed to this report.)
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