The Iran war has affected food makers in Japan. There is now a shortage of the ink needed to make food wrappings. One major snack manufacturer is changing its packaging from colour to black and white. The company sells some of Japan's best-selling potato chips. Some of its products will come with a message that says: "Packaged to save oil-related materials." Meanwhile, a Japanese ketchup maker will make parts of its wrappings transparent.
The Iran war has led to a shortage of a hydrocarbon called naphtha. This is used to make printing ink. It is made from crude oil. Japan's prime minister has said Japan will have enough naphtha to last beyond this year. Actions will be taken to ensure the supply. These include increasing domestic production and importing more. However, the snack maker is anticipating "the possibility of additional impacts arising".
Try the same news story at these levels:
Food Wrapping - Level 5 or Food Wrapping - Level 6
Sources- https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16557789
- https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260430_17/
- https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260514/p2g/00m/0bu/043000c
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