After causing a stink, hot sauce plant offers tours

A Southern California hot sauce plant that came under fire for its spicy odours is throwing open its doors to the public, offering a whiff of excitement and perhaps a breath of fresh air in its relations with its neighbours. As many as 3,000 people are expected to visit the factory that makes Sriracha hot sauce over the weekend. During a 20-minute walk through the 650,000-square-foot facility, visitors can watch chili grinding; sample Sriracha-flavoured ice cream, popcorn and chocolate caramels; visit the new gift shop; and take photos with a cardboard cutout of David Tran, chief executive of plant owner Huy Fong Foods.

We always see it when we pass by, so it’s interesting to see how they do it.

Irwindale resident Marlene Garcia, 21, told Pasadena Star-News

Irwindale, a Los Angeles suburb of about 1,500 people, had sued the company and declared the plant a public nuisance after some nearby residents complained of an eye-watering, throat-closing odour during grinding season. After working out a deal for the company to install stronger ventilation filters, the city dropped its nuisance declaration and lawsuit.