Prosecutors in South Korea are seeking a one-year jail term and a fine of 20 million Korean won ($13,510) for the owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant accused of using ants as a dessert garnish. Ants are not among the 10 insect species approved for human consumption in the country, which include grasshoppers and crickets.
The case came to light after food safety officials discovered online reviews, accompanied by photographs, detailing the use of ants as a topping for sorbets. The restaurant owner has admitted to serving ants but maintained that they were only used in a small portion of the 15-course menu and that diners were informed and offered alternatives. Investigators estimate that approximately 49,000 ants, imported from the United States and Thailand, were used in various dishes over a four-year period.
Health authorities also found that the ants used contained significantly higher levels of heavy metals compared to typical edible insects. South Korean regulations for approving insects as food consider factors such as food safety risks, toxicity, nutritional value, and hygienic breeding and processing.
In defense, the owner argued that only 60% of patrons chose the ant garnish, with the remaining diners receiving alternatives like fermented vinegar or edible flowers. The defense also noted that ants are used as ingredients in restaurants in other countries, including Australia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on September 2.
Ants are consumed in various cultures across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, sometimes considered a delicacy. Weaver ants and their eggs are used in Thai and Cambodian cuisine, and queen ants are a prized food in Colombia.