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Business partner Lamb Weston unveils new Really Crunchy Fries. Lamb Weston has unveiled its Really Crunchy Fries - a new generation of coated fries that deliver an 'unbeatable and long-lasting crunch' that elevates the dining experience for operators and their guests. Originally created to meet the growing demand for 'unique sensory dining experiences', Really Crunchy Fries were developed exclusively for the out-of-home channel, bringing a new dimension to one of the nation's favourite sides. Lamb Weston believes operators need products that are simple, reliable and efficient to prepare across different kitchen environments. Really Crunchy Fries answer both needs: giving diners an exciting sensory experience while providing operators with a versatile, dependable fry solution. Alecia Brown, marketing manager UK & Ireland for Lamb Weston, said: "Expectations on foodservice operators have never been higher. Guests want to be wowed like never before, and every element of a dish needs to deliver a great quality sensory experience that goes beyond just taste. "Our industry-leading innovations in frozen fries have created a legacy for world-famous potato solutions in quality, taste and heat-holding capabilities. Now the time is right to elevate the fry experience to a new standard in indulgent, sensory potato enjoyment." Research published in Food Quality and Preference in 2025 found that environmental sounds can influence taste perception and liking, with the researchers suggesting that the effect on liking may be linked to sensory-emotional stimulation. With a 9% visible coating, Really Crunchy Fries offer added crunch for the diner, and a longer hold time for the operator makes them perfect for loading up and serving dirty. Later in the Autumn, Lamb Weston will partner with Great British Chefs to showcase the versatility of Really Crunchy Fries through a series of reels, stills and recipes created by chef Robin Gill. The collaboration will feature three loaded, flavour-led dishes - Greek Salad Fries, Kimchi Disco Fries and 'Nduja Vodka Fries - demonstrating how Really Crunchy Fries can provide the ideal crunchy foundation for creative, premium loaded fry dishes. Really Crunchy Fries are available through mainstream foodservice wholesalers and operators looking to put the 'crunch' back into the core of their menus are encouraged to contact their provider to order, with many wholesalers running promotions on the range during the campaign period.

Lamb Weston seeks to widen Umatilla nitrate pollution lawsuit. Published 5:00 pm Friday, August 21, 2026 Lamb Weston, which along with other plaintiffs, is accused of contaminating groundwater in Umatilla and Morrow counties, has filed a third-party complaint within that case against J.R. Simplot Co. and Shearer's Foods, alleging they should share in the liability for the pollution if the plaintiffs prevail in their lawsuit. (Capital Press/File) BOARDMAN - A food processor accused of polluting groundwater in Oregon's Umatilla basin is seeking to expand the litigation to include other companies that may have contributed to the problem. In 2024, several residents in the region filed a federal lawsuit accusing Lamb Weston, a major potato processor, and other agribusiness firms of spreading water tainted with nitrogen onto farm fields, contaminating the local aquifer's drinking water. Lamb Weston has now filed a third-party complaint within that case against the J.R. Simplot Co., and Shearer's Foods, alleging they should share in the liability for the pollution if the plaintiffs prevail in their lawsuit. Though Lamb Weston continues to deny it contributed to the alleged contamination, the company argues that Simplot and Shearer's should "bear their equitable share" of the blame if it's found to be liable for the groundwater pollution. If Lamb Weston is found liable in the case, in other words, it should be "entitled to contribution" from these other companies for any amount that the processor must pay "in excess of its proportional share of the common liability." The third-party complaint argues that Simplot began applying wastewater to fields from its processing facility in the region from 1977 to 2004, and has continued irrigated with wastewater from other sources after that plant shut down. Similarly, Shearer's irrigated with wastewater from a potato chip and cheese puff processing facility from 1997 until 2022 in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, or LUGWAMA, according to the third-party complaint. In both cases, Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality has determined that the sites in question have harmed groundwater quality in the area, according to the filing. "Each of the third-party defendants also engaged in the generation, handling, storage, treatment, transportation, land application, or disposal of nitrogen-bearing wastewater, waste, or materials within or adjacent to the LUBGWMA," the document said. Neither Simplot nor Shearer's responded to requests for comment as of press time. Plaintiffs respond. The plaintiffs in the original lawsuit - who seek class action status allowing other residents to join in the litigation - are opposed to Lamb Weston's third-party complaint against the other processors. The relief sought by Lamb Weston isn't permissible under Oregon Law and would complicate the litigation at a time that a trial has already been set for next year, according to the plaintiffs. Adding two new defendants to the case "creates prejudice" against the plaintiffs by including "new disputes over additional facilities, wastewater practices, land-application sites, groundwater measures, DEQ conclusions, and alleged nitrogen loading," the plaintiffs claim. These complications would require additional discovery and the resolution of other legal disputes at a time when the case is already seeking class certification and has a trial scheduled for June 2027, according to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs have asked a federal judge to bar Lamb Weston from seeking to dilute its liability, or at least "protect the case schedule" by keeping the June 2027 trial date and requiring the processor to litigate its claims against the other companies separately.