South Korean prosecutors have sought a one-year prison sentence for the owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant after the establishment allegedly used ants as a dessert garnish without regulatory approval.
During a court hearing on Monday, prosecutors also requested a fine of 20 million won ($13,510; £10,100) for the Seoul-based restaurant, which has not been publicly identified in court documents.
Under South Korean food regulations, ants are not included among the 10 insect species approved for human consumption. Permitted varieties include grasshoppers, locusts and two-spotted crickets.
The restaurant owner admitted that ants had been served but maintained that they formed only a minor part of the establishment’s 15-course tasting menu. They were primarily sprinkled over sorbets, and diners were reportedly informed that alternative toppings were available.
The case came to light after officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety discovered photographs and reviews posted online by customers showing dishes garnished with ants.
Investigators believe approximately 49,000 ants imported from the United States and Thailand were used in several menu items over a four-year period.
Tests conducted by health authorities reportedly found that some of the ants contained levels of heavy metals up to 55 times higher than those typically detected in insects approved for consumption, according to The Chosun Daily.
South Korean regulators examine a range of factors before approving an insect as food, including possible health risks, toxicity, nutritional content and whether it can be bred, handled and processed under hygienic conditions.
In his defence, the restaurant owner said only around 60% of customers had chosen to eat dishes containing ants. Other diners were offered substitutes such as fermented vinegar and edible flowers.
He also argued that ants are used as culinary ingredients by restaurants in several other countries, including Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Neither the owner nor the restaurant was named in the court documents. South Korea currently has 10 restaurants holding two Michelin stars, all of which are located in Seoul.
The court is expected to announce its ruling on September 2.
Although ants are not currently approved as food in South Korea, they are commonly eaten and sometimes regarded as delicacies in several Asian, African and Latin American cultures.
Weaver ants and their eggs feature in Thai and Cambodian cuisine, while Colombia’s queen ants are considered a delicacy comparable to caviar because of their prized status.
