ع
South Korean prosecutors have sought a one-year jail term for the owner of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant and a 20 million won fine for its operating company after the venue was found to have used ants in dishes in violation of the Food Sanitation Act, according to the Korea Herald. The owner and company were indicted for importing dried ant products from the United States and Thailand and incorporating them as garnishes beginning in 2021. Prosecutors calculated that the restaurant served ant-topped sorbet more than 12,200 times, generating around 120 million won in revenue from those dishes.
The case surfaced when officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety identified customer reviews online that included photographs of the ant-sprinkled items. Investigators determined that approximately 49,000 ants had been used across several dishes during the four-year period. Court documents did not disclose the name of the restaurant or its owner, the Korea Herald reported.
Health authorities discovered that the ants contained up to 55 times more heavy metals than typical edible insects, a Chosun Daily report indicated. South Korean regulators evaluate potential food insects based on safety risks, toxicity levels, nutritional content and the feasibility of hygienic breeding and processing. Ants remain excluded from the approved list despite the country’s expanding interest in insect-based foods as sustainable protein alternatives.
The restaurant owner has admitted to serving the ants but contended that they formed only a minor component of the 15-course tasting menu, specifically as an optional topping for sorbets. According to local media, just 60 percent of customers chose the ant version while others received alternatives such as fermented vinegar or edible flowers. The owner further noted that establishments in countries including Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom routinely employ ants as ingredients.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved 10 insect species for human consumption, such as grasshoppers, locusts, two-spotted crickets and various larvae, with additional approvals granted since 2016 to promote alternative proteins. A Korea Herald assessment found the list has grown from three traditional items to the current total. This framework underscores the strict standards applied before any new insect can enter the food supply.
Ten restaurants in Seoul currently hold two Michelin stars, which the guide awards for excellent cooking that is worth a detour based on factors including ingredient quality, technique and consistency. The court is scheduled to issue its verdict in the case on September 2. The practice of consuming ants is common in various cultures across Asia, Africa and Latin America, where certain species are regarded as delicacies.
