Naphtha shortage puts Calbee chips, snacks in monochrome packaging

TOKYO - Japan's leading potato chip maker Calbee Inc. said Tuesday that it will begin selling 14 of its major snack products in black-and-white packaging from late this month, with the move coming in response to a tighter supply of oil-derived naphtha stemming from the Middle East conflict.

The effects of the naphtha shortage are already rippling throughout the food industry in Japan, creating a disconnect with assurances from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration that supply remains sufficient.