Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant fined for using ants as garnish

Seoul, South Korea - A two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul has been fined 15 million won (approximately £8,144. $10,965) by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for using ants as a dessert garnish. The company operating the restaurant was also fined 10 million won for violating the Food Sanitation Act.

The owner of Evett in Seoul had sprinkled three to five ants on certain dishes to give them a "sour taste", over a period of nearly four years, amounting to approximately 49,000 ants used as a garnish. Most of the ants were imported from the US, while some came from Thailand.

The use of ants in food is not allowed in South Korea. Except for certain insect species such as grasshoppers, locusts, and silkworms. Ants are eaten and sometimes even valued as a delicacy in several Asian, African, and Latin American cultures.

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Weaver ants and their eggs are used in Thai and Cambodian cooking, while in Colombia, queen ants are as prized as caviar. The Michelin Guide considers a two-star establishment as one that does "excellent cooking" and is "worth a detour".

The owner of Evett admitted to the charge and having no prior criminal record, which led to a reduced fine. However, the judge noted that the presence of heavy metals exceeding standards was detected in the ants when they were tested, meaning the "culpability is not light".

The incident came to light after online reviews accompanied by photographs were found by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The owner had been unaware that providing ants in food was prohibited in South Korea, as they are used as food elsewhere.

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The fine was imposed on both the restaurant's owner and the company operating the restaurant for violating the Food Sanitation Act. Prosecutors had initially sought a one-year prison term for the restaurant's owner, but the judge took this into account during sentencing.

The incident has raised concerns about food safety in South Korea's high-end restaurants. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has emphasized the importance of adhering to food sanitation standards.

Industry experts have called for stricter regulations on the use of insects as food ingredients. Citing the risk of contamination and health risks associated with consuming non-approved species.