Seoul prosecutors on Monday requested a prison sentence for the unnamed owner of an unnamed restaurant for violating food safety regulations, according to reports.
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Under South Korean law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption, including grasshoppers and mealworm larvae.
However, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant is accused of serving prohibited insects imported from Thailand and the US, according to a statement from the Ministry of Food Safety.
Local media reported that ants were served on sorbet.
Officials launched an investigation last year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Food, which claims the chef garnished cold desserts with “three to five” ants to “add acidity.”
Over nearly four years until January 2025, he sold about 12,000 such desserts for 120 million won (about 71,000 euros), the statement said.
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One photo of evidence released by the ministry shows a round tin labeled “Cuisine Black Ants.”
In addition to a prison sentence, prosecutors asked the Seoul Western District Court to impose a fine of 20 million won (11.8 thousand euros), local news agency Newsis reported.
The defendant’s lawyers stated that the desserts with ants were served only to customers who had given prior consent, the media outlet reported.
“I apologize for this incident, which occurred because I did not fully understand the relevant regulations,” the defendant reportedly said in his closing statement.
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The court is expected to announce its decision in early September.
