Korean prosecutors are seeking a one-year jail term for a luxury restaurant owner in Seoul for serving a dessert containing unapproved insects, as reported by The Guardian.
The chef, whose establishment boasts two Michelin stars, is charged with breaching the Food Safety Act.
$80,000 dessert
An investigation found that the restaurant served fruit sorbet with dried black ants for four years. Imported from the US and Thailand, the ants were meant to impart a natural sour-citrus flavor.
The Michelin-starred restaurant owner in South Korea could face a year in prison for adding black ants to sorbet to achieve a sour taste, according to local media.
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Prosecutors revealed that over 12,200 servings of the dessert, using nearly 49,000 ants, generated more than $80,000 in revenue during this time.
Besides being illegal, lab tests showed high levels of heavy metals in the imported ants.
Why are ants banned?
South Korea’s food regulations are stringent, allowing only 10 insect species for human consumption, such as certain grasshoppers and silkworms. Black ants are not permitted.
Prosecution is calling for a one-year sentence for the chef and a fine for the restaurant.
“World Culinary Practice”
The defense argues that using ants for natural acidity is common in haute cuisine, a technique used in elite restaurants in Denmark, the UK, and Australia.
Lawyers assert that customers were informed about the ingredients and ate them by choice.
The Seoul court’s final decision is expected in early September.
Source: The Guardian
Illustrative photo: pexels-ekamelev-7870559
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