Some Japanese snack packages are turning black and white as war depletes ink

6 hours ago

Japanese snack packages are turning black-and-white due to ink supply disruptions from the Iran war.
Calbee Inc. is implementing this change on 14 products starting May 25 to ensure stable product supply amid geopolitical risks.
The shortage is linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, affecting naphtha, a key ingredient for plastics and ink.
Japan relies heavily on oil imports, but the government has used reserves to mitigate concerns, though the packaging change reflects real impacts.
Calbee's popular salted chips will shift from bright-orange packaging to monochrome lettering, while product quality remains unchanged.
The company remains committed to flexible responses to geopolitical risks and maintaining stable, high-quality product supplies.

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