Calbee changes to black-and-white packaging after Iran-related ink shortage

Japan's snack giant Calbee will temporarily switch

some of its product packaging to black-and-white designs, following an ink supply crunch arisen from the Middle East conflict.

NHK reports that the move comes after unstable procurement of crude oil-derived naphtha.

Kyodo News reports the temporary bicolor packaging

is scheduled to begin later this month

and will cover more than ten products from the company, including its potato chips packaging.

A late April survey cited by Kyodo News found that

over 70 percent of around 100 companies polled

would likely pass on costs to consumers if naphtha supply worries continue.

Japan authorities said domestic naphtha refining continues with the use of stockpiled crude oil,

while imports from outside the Middle East have tripled in May compared with late February.