Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant fined for serving dessert topped with ants
A Seoul court has fined a two-Michelin-star restaurant and its CEO for serving a dessert topped with ants, which are not approved for human consumption under South Korean food safety laws. The judge noted the severity of the offense due to the presence of heavy metals in the insects and the restaurant's promotional use of the dish.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of global culinary trends and strict local food safety regulations, emphasizing the legal risks for high-end restaurants experimenting with non-traditional ingredients.
Ants are used as an ingredient in the US and Europe, and the restaurant appeared not to have realised they were not permitted in South Korea, the judge said. Photograph: Patrick Sean Ants are used as an ingredient in the US and Europe, and the restaurant appeared not to have realised they were not permitted in South Korea, the judge said. Photograph: Patrick Sean South Korea Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant fined for serving dessert topped with ants Prosecutors sought jail term for chief executive of Evett after insects not approved for consumption were on menu
Prefer the Guardian on Google A South Korean court has fined the operator of one of Seoul’s most celebrated restaurants and its chief executive for serving a dessert topped with ants, an insect not approved for consumption under local food safety law.
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