More bad news for the Sriracha company and its legion of fans.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the hot sauce manufacturer, Huy Fong Foods, will not be able to send out their products to food distributors, due to the health department enforcing stricter guidelines for the company.
The California Department of Public Health placed a 35-day hold period for three of the company's sauces: Chili Garlic, Sambal Oelek, and the beloved Sriracha.
Last month, a judge ordered the plant to cease production, after a lawsuit was filed over "spicy odors that residents say caused a raft of health issues." The Associated Press reported Judge Robert H. O'Brien ruled in favor of the city of Irwindale and ordered the plant to stop any operations that could be causing the odor.
The lawsuit, filed in October stated the foul smell was a "public nuisance," and was causing residents to flee their homes to escape the stench. Others have reportedly dealt with more severe symptoms like burning eyes, irritated throats, and headaches.
The company responded to the allegations stating they were no longer crushing red-hot jalapeño peppers, which is considered the main ingredient and source of complaints.
"We believe it's a strong ruling that acknowledges and is reflective of the concerns that the community has raised about the health impacts of the odor," City Attorney Fred Galante said. "We're going to try to keep having a conversation with Huy Fong."
Damon Chu, president of wholesale Asian food supplier Giant Union in Whittier, told the Times he's lost about $300,000 in sales, since his company purchased $150,000 worth of Huy Fong Food products each month. Chu said he's afraid that if his customers can't get the sauce on their orders, they might switch to a different supplier.
"We have already received more than 30 angry phone calls today," Chu said. "It drives me crazy because this is the first time we have been in this situation."
