Calbee will temporarily switch the packaging of 14 snack products to black-and-white designs starting May 25, 2026 [1].

The move illustrates how geopolitical instability in the Middle East can trigger immediate disruptions in consumer goods supply chains within Japan. By reducing the number of ink colors used, the company aims to bypass a critical shortage of raw materials required for standard colorful packaging.

According to the company, the shortage affects naphtha, a crude-oil derivative essential for the production of printing inks [2]. The supply of this material has become unstable due to the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran and Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz [3].

"Shortages of naphtha, a crude‑oil derivative used in inks, are forcing us to change our packaging," said Calbee’s chief marketing officer [2].

The company will limit the packaging to only two ink colors [1]. Affected products include popular items such as Potato Chips and Kappa Ebisen [1]. The decision was announced on May 12, 2026, to ensure that products remain available on shelves despite the resource crunch [2].

"The move is aimed at maintaining stable shipments," said a Calbee spokesperson [3].

Industry analysts suggest the situation reveals deeper vulnerabilities in the region's resource management. "Calbee's shift to black‑and‑white packaging highlights Japan's energy blind spot," said Kaori Enjoji [4].

Calbee is Japan's largest snack maker and has historically relied on stable imports of petroleum-based products for its manufacturing and packaging processes [3]. The temporary shift to monochrome designs is intended to prevent total shipment halts while the company navigates the volatile supply of oil-derived chemicals [1].

“"The move is aimed at maintaining stable shipments," said a Calbee spokesperson.”

This development signals that the conflict in the Middle East is moving beyond energy price fluctuations and is now impacting the physical production of consumer goods. Because Japan relies heavily on imported naphtha for chemicals and plastics, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz creates a direct bottleneck in the manufacturing of basic packaging, forcing major brands to alter their visual identity to maintain inventory.