Japanese snack manufacturer Calbee is transitioning 14 of its products to black-and-white packaging starting Monday, May 25, 2026 [1], [2].
The move highlights how geopolitical instability in the Middle East is impacting the global supply chain for basic industrial materials like printing ink. By reducing the number of colors used in packaging, the company aims to avoid potential shortages that could lead to empty shelves.
Calbee will replace existing colorful packaging with a two-color design [1], [3] as current stocks run out. The change applies to a wide range of the company's portfolio, including popular items such as potato chips and Kappa Ebisen [1]. The company is implementing these changes across its domestic distribution network in Japan [1], [2].
According to the company, the decision is a direct response to the instability of ink procurement caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East [1], [2]. The shift to a simplified aesthetic is intended to prioritize the continuous availability of snacks for consumers.
"In an environment where the procurement of ink and other materials has become unstable, this is a response that prioritizes the stable supply of products," a Calbee spokesperson said [1].
The company is rolling out the change sequentially for the 14 affected products [2]. While the visual identity of the brands will change significantly, the contents of the snacks remain the same.
“Calbee is transitioning 14 of its products to black-and-white packaging”
This strategic shift demonstrates the vulnerability of consumer goods to 'invisible' supply chain disruptions. While the primary conflict is regional, the resulting scarcity of chemical components for printing inks forces companies to make visible changes to their branding to maintain operational continuity.
