Japanese snack maker Calbee has temporarily switched the packaging of several potato chip products to black-and-white designs [1].

The move highlights how geopolitical instability can disrupt the most mundane aspects of consumer retail, from energy markets to the ink used on snack bags.

Calbee will temporarily limit packaging for 14 products to two ink colors [2]. The company transitioned to these monochrome designs due to an ink shortage caused by disruptions to global energy markets and supply chains [1].

These supply chain failures are linked to the Iran-related war, which has impacted the availability of materials required for full-color printing [4]. By reducing the number of inks used per bag, the company aims to maintain production levels despite the scarcity of specific pigments.

The monochrome bags have appeared in retail stores across Japan [1]. While the visual branding of the products has changed, the contents of the potato chip varieties remain the same.

Industry observers note that such measures are often temporary stopgaps used when raw material shortages threaten to halt assembly lines entirely. Calbee has not specified a date for when the original colorful packaging will return to shelves [1].

“Calbee will temporarily limit packaging for 14 products to two ink colors”

This situation demonstrates the fragility of 'just-in-time' supply chains where a conflict in one region can trigger a cascade of shortages in unrelated industries. The transition to monochrome packaging is a strategic move to avoid product shortages, signaling that the company prioritizes availability over brand aesthetics during a global resource crunch.