Michelin-starred restaurateur faces jail for using ants as dessert garnish
South Korean prosecutors have sought a one-year prison sentence for the owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant accused of using ants as a dessert garnish, local media reported.
Ants are not among the 10 insect species allowed for human consumption under the country’s law. The approved list includes grasshoppers, locusts and two-spotted crickets, among others.
Prosecutors on Monday also demanded that the two-Michelin-star restaurant be fined 20 million Korean won ($13,510; £10,100).
The restaurant’s owner admitted to serving ants, but argued that they were used in a “small portion” of the restaurant’s 15-course menu (as a topping for sorbets) and that customers were told they could opt for non-ant ingredients.
The case came to light after Department of Food and Drug Safety officials found reviews from restaurant patrons online that included photos of ant-strewn food.
Researchers estimate that approximately 49,000 ants imported from the United States and Thailand were used in a variety of dishes over four years.
Health officials also found that ants were used at the restaurant, which “contain 55 times more heavy metals than typical edible insects,” according to a report in The Chosun Daily.
South Korean officials consider several criteria when deciding whether to approve insects as food. These include food safety risks, toxicity, nutritional value and whether they can be grown and processed hygienically.
In his defence, the restaurant owner argued that only 60% of diners chose to try the ants, while the rest were offered alternatives such as fermented vinegar and edible flowers.
He added that restaurants in other countries such as Australia, Denmark and the UK also use ants as ingredients.
Court documents did not name the restaurant or its owner. Ten restaurants in South Korea, all located in the capital Seoul, were awarded two Michelin stars.
The Michelin Guide awards restaurants up to three stars based on ingredient quality, taste mastery, cooking technique, chef’s personality and consistency.
Two stars denote restaurants that “cook excellent food” and are “worth a detour” according to Michelin criteria.
The court is expected to announce its decision on September 2.
Ants are eaten in many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, sometimes even considered a delicacy. Weaver ants and their eggs are used in Thai and Cambodian dishes, while queen ants are used in Colombian dishes. rewarded as caviar.
