Kagome Simplifies Ketchup Packaging Amid Ink Shortage Linked to Middle East Conflict

Japanese food and beverage maker Kagome Co. said it will begin selling some of its tomato ketchup products in simplified packaging due to a tightening supply of ink linked to the conflict in the Middle East, according to a Kyodo News report published.

Kagome said the redesigned packaging will be introduced gradually beginning later this month. (Photo: New Hatchin Japanese Grocerant Facebook)

The redesigned Kagome Tomato Ketchup packaging comes amid a shortage of raw materials used to produce white ink.

The lower half of the package will be transparent, unlike the current design, which is fully covered with tomato illustrations on a white background.

The company said on its website that finding a substitute for the white ink — the base color used for package printing — is difficult “due to printing compatibility.”

The products affected include the 500-gram, 300-gram, and 180-gram ketchup bottles. Kagome said the redesigned packaging will be introduced gradually beginning later this month.

The move follows a similar decision by Calbee Inc., which earlier announced plans to sell 14 potato chip products — including the Lightly Salted, Consommé Punch, and Seaweed Salt flavors — in black-and-white packaging in response to tighter supplies of oil-derived naphtha.