If you've got a rumbling in your tummy but little time or money, what could be better than a bento (boxed lunch) from the nearest convenience store?

But take a minute before you join the increasing number of people turning to fast-food fixes like konbini bento and read the label on the packaging; you may be surprised at just how many additives your meal includes.

Take a typical bento, which might include rice, pork cutlet, hamburger steak, potato salad, omelet and sausage. A quick scan of the ingredients might read something like: flavoring, preservatives, antioxidants, thickener, sweetener, spices, color-enhancers, artificial coloring and others.