The company said 14 products would be affected, with packaging redesigned
A crisp brand is switching to monochrome packaging due to “supply instability affecting certain raw materials” linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the US. The company said 14 products would be affected, with packaging redesigned using only two ink colours.
The black-and-white designs will appear on products including Calbee Potato Chips, shrimp-flavoured Kappa Ebisen snacks and Frugra granola. In a statement, the Japanese company said the changes were being made “in response to supply instability affecting certain raw materials amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East”.
“This measure is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products,” the firm added. There has been a disruption in the supply of naphtha, a petroleum-derived ingredient used in printing ink, as the Strait of Hormuz has remained mostly blocked during the conflict.
Japan relies on Middle Eastern oil imports for about 40% of its naphtha consumption. The revised packaging is due to appear in shops from 25 May. The conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran reportedly began on 28 February this year.
Iran responded to US and Israeli attacks by closing the Strait of Hormuz to most international shipping vessels, contributing to rising oil and gas prices. The strait is used to transport around a fifth of the world’s oil supply, and disruption there has created a major bottleneck in global energy markets.
As to their packaging woes, Calbee said the new packaging held the usual products. “The change applies only to a limited number of products and will not affect product quality,” their statement added. “Calbee will continue to respond flexibly and promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks, and remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high‑quality products. We ask for your understanding and continued support.”
