Japanese snack manufacturer Calbee is changing the packaging of some potato chip products to a two-color black and white design [1].

This move highlights how geopolitical instability in the Middle East can disrupt global supply chains for basic consumer goods. The shift affects popular varieties, including the salt and consommé punch flavors [1], [2].

The company said the decision follows instability in the procurement of printing inks derived from naphtha [1]. Naphtha is a primary raw material for the chemicals used in color printing, and its availability has become unpredictable due to escalating tensions in the Middle East [2].

By reducing the printing process to only two colors [1], [2], Calbee aims to secure its supply chain and maintain the steady distribution of its products. A representative said, "Because the procurement of ink using naphtha as a raw material has become unstable, Calbee will change the packaging to black and white" [1].

Calbee said that this change is limited to the exterior packaging. The company maintains that the quality of the chips, and the overall supply of the products, will not be affected by the transition to the simplified design [2].

The company is implementing these measures to ensure that consumers can continue to find its snacks on shelves despite the volatile raw material market [1].

“Calbee is changing the packaging of some potato chip products to a two-color black and white design.”

This decision demonstrates the vulnerability of the food and beverage industry to petrochemical fluctuations. Since naphtha is a derivative of crude oil, political instability in oil-producing regions creates a ripple effect that reaches as far as the visual branding of consumer snacks. Calbee's choice to prioritize supply continuity over brand aesthetics suggests a cautious approach to risk management in an unpredictable global economy.