Calbee Switches to Black-and-White Packaging Due to Naphtha Shortage from Middle East Conflict
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Japan's top potato snack maker Calbee is shifting 14 key products to black-and-white packaging from late May due to a naphtha shortage linked to the Middle East conflict. The temporary measure aims to keep production running while preserving product quality. Experts warn other food firms may follow if the crisis deepens.
Calbee Inc., Japan's largest potato snack manufacturer, said it will begin selling 14 core products in black-and-white packaging from late May 2026. The move responds to a shortage of naphtha—a petroleum-derived material severely affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
According to Calbee, the packaging change is a temporary measure to maintain production amid naphtha scarcity. Naphtha is essential for producing ink and plastic used in packaging, which normally features the vibrant colors characteristic of Calbee products.
The affected items include popular snack lines such as salt-flavored potato chips, seaweed-flavored chips, and corn snacks. Calbee has pledged to keep product recipes and quality unchanged, altering only the outer packaging.
This marks Calbee's first large-scale shift to monochrome packaging, reflecting the far-reaching impact of the global energy crisis. Experts note that if the naphtha shortage persists, other Japanese food companies may need to make similar adjustments.
Calbee has not announced when it will end the use of black-and-white packaging but said it will closely monitor raw material markets to decide on appropriate next steps.
