The packaging on some snacks in Japan are turning a sombre black-and-white, as the war in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient used in colored ink.
Tokyo-based Calbee Incorporation makes potato chips and cereal available in Japan's convenience stores and the US, China, and Australia. It said, despite the packaging, what’s inside remains the same.
“This measure is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products,” the company said in a statement this week.
The change on 14 products in its line-up will start May 25, limiting ink colours to just two. The company noted it was necessary to respond flexibly to changing geopolitical conditions.
How long the change might last remained unclear.
The move is the latest caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz because of the war in Iran. The war has sent prices of oil and other products higher as well as caused supply crunches.
Japan relied almost entirely on oil imports. A key oil-related product called naphtha was used in various items such as plastics and ink. Japan hads so far ridden out the worries relatively calmly, as the government worked to allay such fears by noting the nation’s oil reserves.
But there’s no mistake in the stark change on the chips packaging.
Calbee’s lightly salted chips, known as “usu shio,” originally came in a bright-orange bag with an image of yellow chips and a potato-man mascot wearing a hat. The new packaging just had monochrome lettering.
The company, which also made shrimp chips, or “kappa ebisen,” announced an ambitious growth strategy in March.
“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,” it said. “We ask for your understanding.”
Calbee was founded in 1949 and employed more than 5000 group workers.
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