"The change affects the company's typically colorful bags; the new design will use varying shades of gray and will remove familiar mascot imagery."
Calbee Goes Grayscale: Japan’s Snack Giant Switches to Monochrome Packaging Due to Iran Conflict
Japanese snack manufacturer Calbee Inc. has announced a temporary but dramatic redesign for 14 of its iconic snack products. Starting May 25, the typically vibrant packaging will shift to black-and-white (grayscale), a move the company attributes to supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Background & Cause
Calbee stated that the conflict in Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route for Middle Eastern oil. According to the company, this has disrupted the supply of naphtha—an oil-derived ingredient critical to the production of colored ink. The change affects the company’s typically colorful bags; the new design will use varying shades of gray and will remove familiar mascot imagery.
Company Response
Calbee stated that the measure is intended to maintain a stable product supply and that the contents of the snacks remain unchanged. The company added that it will respond flexibly to changing geopolitical conditions. The duration of the monochrome packaging has not been specified.
Government Response
A Japanese government spokesperson stated that officials have not received reports of immediate supply issues regarding printing ink or naphtha in Japan. The spokesperson indicated that necessary volumes for the country are secured. The government plans to meet with Calbee to resolve any supply imbalances.
Affected Products
The change applies to 14 products, including "usu shio" chips, which are typically packaged in bright orange and will now feature monochrome lettering. Calbee's products are sold in Japan, the U.S., China, and Australia.