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Seoul Chef Faces Jail for Serving Ants
22 Jul
Summary
- Seoul restaurateur faces jail for serving ants as dessert garnish.
- Ants are not on South Korea's list of 10 approved edible insect species.
- Prosecutors seek a one-year prison sentence and a significant fine.
A renowned restaurateur in Seoul, associated with a two-Michelin-starred establishment, is under legal scrutiny for allegedly serving ants as a dessert garnish. South Korean prosecutors are seeking a one-year prison sentence and a 20 million Korean won fine for the business, citing violations of the Food Sanitation Act.
The country's regulations permit only 10 specific insect species for consumption, and ants are not included on this approved list. The investigation was initiated after food safety officials observed online reviews with photographs of sorbet sprinkled with insects.
Investigators estimate that approximately 49,000 ants, imported from Thailand and the United States, were served over a four-year period. The defense argued that ants constituted a small part of a 15-course tasting menu and that diners had alternatives. However, prosecutors emphasized that serving unapproved ingredients remains illegal under South Korean law.
The establishment has not been publicly named, but a verdict is anticipated on September 2. This case highlights the strict enforcement of food safety laws concerning edible insects in South Korea.
