What Are Those 'Black Dots' in Dessert? Michelin 2-Star Restaurant Owner Faces Trial

The prosecution has requested a one-year prison sentence for the owner of a two-star Michelin restaurant charged with using ants, which are not approved for human consumption, in their dishes.

During the trial held yesterday (July 20) at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office regarding the restaurant owner, identified as A, on charges of violating the Food Sanitation Act, the prosecution asked the court to impose a one-year prison term.

A is accused of importing dried ants from the United States and Thailand over a period of approximately four years, starting in 2021, and serving them as a topping on certain desserts.


Under the current Food Sanitation Act, ants are not included in the 10 types of insects approved for human consumption and therefore cannot be used as food ingredients.

The prosecution determined that the restaurant generated approximately 120 million won in profit by selling items such as sherbet garnished with ants.

It was also estimated that about 49,000 ants were used in the food.

The sentencing for A is scheduled for this coming September.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.