A judge has denied a Southern California factory town's attempt to shut down production of the popular Sriracha chili sauce.
City News Service reports the judge rejected Irwindale's initial bid Thursday to cease operations at the Huy Fong Foods plant. The city sought the closure to reduce the pungent smell of pepper and garlic fumes emanating from the factory.
The sprawling 650,000-square-foot factory processes some 100 million pounds of peppers a year into Sriracha and two other popular Asian food sauces.
Residents have complained the odor gives them headaches, burn their throat and make their eyes water.
Huy Fong executives say they've been cooperating with the city to reduce the smell.