Topline

Calbee, Japan's biggest snack maker, on Tuesday warned its products will switch from their famously colorful packaging to black-and-white labels by the end of the month due to an Iran war-spurred shortage of an ink ingredient, the latest disruption to hit the supply chain due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Diet Coke cans are displayed for sale in India, where the conflict involving Iran has led to a shortage of Diet Coke, on April 22, 2026.

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Key Facts

The packaging change is reportedly due to a shortage of naptha , an ink ingredient derived from petroleum, of which Japan imports 40% of its consumption from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel that has been closed since the U.S.…