South Korean prosecutors want to impose a year in prison on the owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant for using ants to decorate a dessert, the BBC reports.
Ants are not on the list of insects that are allowed to be used for human consumption in South Korea under state law. The approved list includes grasshoppers, locusts, two-spotted crickets and seven other insect species.
Prosecutors also asked the owner of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the 20th of July to fine him 13,510 dollars. The owner admitted serving the ants, but explained that they were used in a small part of the restaurant’s 15-course menu as a decoration for sorbet, and diners were given the option to refuse the ants in their food.
The case came to light after officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety came across online reviews with pictures of desserts topped with ants. It was discovered that over four years, about 49,000 ants imported from the United States and Thailand were used in various dishes. Health officials found that
the restaurant used ants with heavy metal levels 55 times higher than those allowed for insects used in food.
South Korea uses several criteria to determine whether insects can be used in food. These include food safety risks, toxicity, nutritional value and whether the insects can be reproduced and grown in a hygienic manner.
The restaurant argued that only 60% of diners chose to try the ants, while the rest were served food without the insects. The owner also said that ants are used in other countries, such as Australia, Denmark and the UK.
The court documents did not name the restaurant or its owner. Ten South Korean restaurants have been awarded two Michelin stars, all of which are in the capital Seoul. The Michelin guide awards up to three stars based on the quality of ingredients, taste, cooking techniques, the personality of the chef and other criteria.
The ruling is expected on the 2nd of September.
Ants are used in food and are sometimes considered a delicacy in several Asian, African and Latin American cultures. Weaver ants and their eggs are used in Thai and Cambodian cuisine, while in Colombia, queen ants are compared to caviar.
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