Calbee's Snack Packaging Turns Black and White Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Calbee Inc., a Japanese snack company, shifts to black-and-white packaging for some products due to an ink ingredient shortage caused by the war in Iran. This adaptation aims to maintain a steady product supply amid rising geopolitical tensions affecting global oil and ink supply chains.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Tokyo | Updated: 13-05-2026 09:13 IST | Created: 13-05-2026 09:13 IST
Calbee's Snack Packaging Turns Black and White Amid Geopolitical Tensions
This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only.

In a striking adaptation to shifting global dynamics, Japanese snack manufacturer Calbee Inc. announced a packaging change for some of its products. The war in Iran has disrupted the supply of naphtha, a key ingredient in colored inks, prompting the company to switch to a somber black-and-white design for 14 of its products.

Calbee, renowned for its popular potato chips and cereal, assures that the contents of the packages remain unchanged despite these surface-level alterations. The company's decision underscores the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on international supply chains, including oil and ink products.

With Japan's heavy reliance on oil imports, Calbee's strategic move reflects a proactive approach to navigating global uncertainties while maintaining product availability. This shift, effective from May 25, highlights the necessity for businesses to remain agile in the face of geopolitical risks and economic challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Give Feedback