Sriracha Maker to Pause Production

Huy Fung Foods, the major domestic producer of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, said it would stop producing the condiment until September because the red jalapeño chili peppers used to make it are “too green,” reports CBS News. This is the third consecutive year the maker has faced production issues.

"After re-evaluating our supply of chili, we have determined that it is too green to proceed with production as it is affecting the color of the product," Huy Fung Foods said in a letter to wholesale buyers. "We regret to inform you that we have decided to halt production until after Labor Day, when our next chili season starts."

Stephanie Walker, a chili pepper expert at New Mexico State University explained what the green jalapeños could signal.

"If too many peppers are green jalapeños, that means they are the immature color of the reds," said Walker. "They haven't reached proper maturity, so it could be a timing issue, like maybe they were planted too late or adverse environmental conditions slowed down the ripeness."

In 2022 and 2023 Huy Fung Foods was hit with production issues, blaming a severe drought in Mexico. In 2023 Walker said that the shortage could have resulted from insufficient contracts with farmers in the area. Full Story