Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant fined for using ants as garnish
Summary
A Michelin two-star restaurant in Seoul was fined for using ants as a garnish on desserts, breaking South Korea's food laws. The restaurant owner used about 49,000 ants over nearly four years, mostly imported from the US, despite ants not being approved for human eating in the country.Key Facts
- The restaurant, Evett, was fined 15 million won, and its operating company was fined 10 million won.
- Ants are not on South Korea’s list of 10 insect species allowed for human consumption.
- The approved insects include grasshoppers, locusts, and some types of silkworms.
- The owner used 3 to 5 ants to add a sour taste to some dishes, including sorbets.
- The use of ants was discovered after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety found online reviews with photos.
- Tests showed the ants had heavy metals above safety standards.
- The owner said they did not know ants were banned and said diners could choose an alternative topping.
- Eating ants is common in some cultures in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where they are considered a delicacy.
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