Japanese snack maker Calbee will temporarily switch several of its popular products to black-and-white packaging as concerns grow over supply disruptions linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
The Tokyo-based company said 14 products, including its Potato Chips, Kappa Ebisen snacks and Frugra cereal, will be sold with simplified two-colour packaging from May 25. The move is aimed at maintaining stable shipments amid uncertainty surrounding the supply of certain raw materials.
Packaging change linked to ink material concerns
Printing ink requires naphtha, an oil-derived material that Japan largely imports from the Middle East. Around 40% of Japan’s naphtha consumption depends on imports from the region.
Calbee said the decision was taken as a precaution following instability caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The company’s snack packaging is widely recognised in Japan for its bright and multi-coloured designs.
The announcement drew attention across the country and follows earlier concerns in Japan’s food industry over supply shortages linked to rising energy costs and fuel availability.
Japan says no immediate supply shortage reported
Responding to questions about the issue, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato said the government had not received reports of immediate shortages of naphtha or printing ink.
He said domestic refining operations continue using stockpiled crude oil, while imports from outside the Middle East have increased since the conflict escalated.
“We have not received any reports of immediate supply disruption for printing ink or naphtha and recognise that Japan as a whole has secured the quantities required,” Sato said.
The government added that ministries are coordinating with affected companies to monitor the situation closely.
The disruption comes as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect global oil supplies. The waterway is a key route for international energy shipments, and supply concerns have pushed companies in several sectors to reassess raw material availability and production plans.
