Trending Now - Calbee Adopts Monochrome Packaging Amid Iran War Supply Issues

WHO:

CNN - Calbee, a Japanese snack maker

CNN - A spokesperson from the Japanese government

WHAT:

CNN - Calbee will switch to monochrome branding for 14 products by the end of May due to supply chain disruptions from the Iran war.

Forbes - The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused other shortages globally, including in India, where a lack of aluminum has led to a scarcity of Diet Coke.

Bloomberg Markets - The ink shortage is part of a broader raw-materials crunch affecting various industries, including automotive and paint manufacturing.

The Guardian - Calbee will switch to monochrome branding for 14 products by the end of May due to ink ingredient shortages caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

The Guardian - Calbee recorded sales of 322.5 billion yen ($2.04 billion) in 2025.

CNN - Calbee stated that the new black-and-white packaging will not affect product quality.

Fast Company - The new packaging will be introduced starting the week of May 25.

Forbes - The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused other shortages globally, including in India, where a lack of aluminum has led to a scarcity of Diet Coke.

Fast Company - Calbee will temporarily convert its colorful packaging to grayscale for 14 product variants, including Potato Chips, Kappa Ebisen, and Frugra snacks.

BBC - Japan imports around 40% of its naphtha needs from the Middle East.

CNN - Calbee will temporarily change its packaging to grayscale for 14 products.

CNN - The new black-and-white packaging will roll out on May 25.

BBC - The change is due to disruptions in supplies of an ingredient used in ink.

WHERE:

CNN - Japan, specifically in stores nationwide.

WHEN:

CNN - The new packaging will roll out on May 25.

WHY:

The Guardian - The Japanese government is working to ensure naphtha is imported by routes other than through the Strait of Hormuz, with imports from outside the Middle East tripling in May compared to levels before the Iran war.

BBC - The Japanese government plans to meet with Calbee to discuss the situation and resolve any supply imbalances.

BBC - The Japanese government spokesperson Kei Sato confirmed that “adequate supplies of the naphtha ink ingredient have been secured for important functions in Japan.”

BBC - The Japanese government is working with major corporations to ensure naphtha is imported by routes other than through the Strait of Hormuz.

BBC - Government officials have reassured the public about the nation’s supply, including boosting domestic production and importing from other producers like the US, Peru, and Algeria.

CNN - The change is in response to supply chain disruptions from the Iran war affecting certain raw materials.

CNN - The spokesperson from the Japanese government stated that they had “received no reports of immediate supply issues regarding printing ink or naphtha.”

HOW:

The Guardian - Domestic naphtha refining continues using stockpiled crude oil.

Bloomberg Markets - The ink shortage is part of a broader raw-materials crunch affecting various industries, including automotive and paint manufacturing.

BBC - The Japanese government plans to meet with Calbee to discuss the situation and resolve any supply imbalances.

CNN - The black-and-white packaging is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products.

CNN - Companies around the world are scrambling to find solutions to supply disruptions since the US and Israel attacked Iran, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 17:41 UTC)

Calbee is set to switch to monochrome branding for fourteen of its products by the end of May due to supply chain disruptions stemming from the ongoing Iran war. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to global shortages, including a lack of aluminum in India that has resulted in a scarcity of Diet Coke, while the ink shortage is part of a wider raw-materials crunch impacting various industries. In response, the Japanese government is working to secure naphtha imports through alternative routes, with plans to meet with Calbee to address any supply imbalances.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 06:08 UTC)

Calbee will switch to monochrome branding for 14 of its products by the end of May due to ink ingredient shortages caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. In 2025, the company recorded impressive sales of 322.5 billion yen, which is approximately $2.04 billion. Meanwhile, the Japanese government is actively working to secure naphtha imports through alternative routes, with imports from outside the Middle East tripling in May compared to pre-war levels, while domestic refining continues using stockpiled crude oil.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 01:34 UTC)

Calbee has announced that its new black-and-white packaging, set to roll out during the week of May 25, will not impact the quality of its products. Meanwhile, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered global shortages, notably causing a lack of aluminum in India that has led to a scarcity of Diet Coke. The Japanese government has confirmed that adequate supplies of the naphtha ink ingredient have been secured, despite a broader raw-materials crunch affecting multiple industries, including automotive and paint manufacturing.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 21:23 UTC)

Calbee will temporarily switch its vibrant packaging to grayscale for 14 of its product variants, including popular snacks like Potato Chips and Kappa Ebisen. This change comes as the Japanese government collaborates with major corporations to secure naphtha imports through alternative routes, aiming to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. To address any potential supply issues, government officials are set to meet with Calbee to discuss strategies for boosting domestic production and sourcing from other countries like the US, Peru, and Algeria.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 19:33 UTC)

Calbee, a well-known Japanese snack maker, will temporarily switch to grayscale packaging for fourteen of its products due to supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran. The new black-and-white packaging is set to roll out in stores across Japan on May 25, as companies worldwide seek solutions to the challenges posed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A spokesperson from the Japanese government noted that they have not received any immediate reports of supply issues related to printing ink or naphtha, which are essential for the packaging process.