B1 – Intermediate
The Iran war caused problems for food companies in Japan. There is a shortage of ink materials. This affects food packaging.
Calbee will use black-and-white packaging for some potato chips. The company will add a message saying it is saving oil materials.
Sanae Takaichi said Japan has enough naphtha for now. Japan will also increase local production and imports from other countries. However, Calbee warned that more problems may happen later.
Read the article about the change in the designs of some snack manufacturers’ food packaging.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2605/260518-food-packaging-ink.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “in a bid to do something” mean? “Meanwhile, food and beverage maker Kagome will make some of the wrapping for its popular ketchup transparent in a bid to deal with the ink shortage.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “countermeasure” mean? “She said countermeasures would be taken to ensure a supply of the liquid.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “ramp up” mean? “These countermeasures include a ramping up of domestic production, and a threefold increase in naphtha imports from countries outside the Middle East. ” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion about the changes in these Japanese snack products’ designs?
- What lessons can other companies learn from this situation?
- Do you think simple packaging is a good idea during shortages? Why or why not?
- How might customers react to changes in product packaging? How would you react if your favorite products’ packaging suddenly turns black and white?
- What is your opinion about transparent packaging?