Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail for serving ants in dessert
A Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul is facing potential legal action for serving desserts topped with ants. South Korean food safety laws do not include ants as an approved food ingredient, leading prosecutors to seek prison time and fines for the owner.
Why it matters
This case highlights the strict regulatory hurdles for culinary innovation and the legal risks businesses face when experimenting with non-traditional food sources.
A photo distributed by the South Korean ministry of food and drug safety showing the dried ant products it says were used by a local restaurant. Photograph: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Korea A photo distributed by the South Korean ministry of food and drug safety showing the dried ant products it says were used by a local restaurant. Photograph: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Korea South Korea Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea faces jail for serving ants in dessert Fine of 20m won (£10,108) could also be imposed for serving insect not approved for consumption under local law
Prefer the Guardian on Google Prosecutors in South Korea have asked a court to sentence the owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant to one year in prison for serving a dessert topped with ants, an insect not approved for consumption under local food safety law.
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