South Korea: Michelin-starred restaurateur jailed for using ants as decoration

South Korean prosecutors have sought a one-year prison sentence for a Michelin-starred restaurant owner accused of using ants as a dessert garnish, local media reported.

Ants are not among the 10 species of insects allowed for human consumption under the country’s law. The approved list includes grasshoppers, locusts and two-spotted crickets, among others.

Prosecutors on Monday asked the restaurant, which holds two Michelin stars, to be fined 20 million Korean won ($13,510; £10,100).

The owner admitted serving ants but argued they were used in a “small part” of the restaurant’s 15-course menu – as a complement to sorbets – and diners were told they could choose items other than ants.

The case came to light after officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety discovered reviews posted online by diners with photos of food covered in ants.

Investigators estimate that about 49,000 ants imported from the U.S. and Thailand were used in various foods over four years.

Health officials also found that the restaurant uses ants, which “contain up to 55 times more heavy metals than normal edible insects,” according to a report in The Chosun Daily.

South Korean officials consider several criteria to determine whether insects are allowed as food. These include food safety concerns, toxicity, nutritional value, and the ability to reproduce and process hygienically.

In his defense, the restaurant owner argued that 60% of diners chose to try the ants, while the rest were given pickled vinegar and edible flowers.

He said restaurants in other countries such as Australia, Denmark and England also use ants as an ingredient.

Court documents did not name the restaurant or the owner. Ten restaurants in South Korea, all located in the capital city of Seoul, have been awarded two Michelin stars.

The Michelin Guide awards up to three stars to restaurants based on ingredient quality, mastery of taste, cooking technique, chef’s personality and consistency.

Two stars indicate “excellent cooking” and “must visit” restaurants according to the Michelin criteria.

The court is set for September 2 to issue a verdict.

Ants are eaten in many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, and are sometimes considered a delicacy. Weaver ants and their eggs are used in cooking in Thailand and Cambodia, while in Colombia, queen ants are used as Awarded as caviar.