Controversial Sriracha Plant In Irwindale Opens Its Doors To Public

IRWINDALE (AP) — A Southern California hot sauce plant that came under fire for its spicy odors is throwing open its doors to the public.

As many as 3,000 people are expected to visit the Irwindale plant that makes Sriracha sauce over the weekend.

The factory is holding its first open house to kick off the chili harvest season. Visitors can watch the chili grinding and sample Sriracha ice cream and candy.

CEO David Tran tells the Pasadena Star-News he wants to prove the plant makes hot sauce not — in his words — "tear gas."

Irwindale had sued and declared the plant a public nuisance, contending it caused throat-closing, eye-watering problems for nearby residents.

The plant installed stronger filters and reached an agreement with the city in May.

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