Restaurant Owner in South Korea Faces Legal Trouble for Serving Ants on Sorbets

The owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea is confronted with legal action, including a penalty of approximately $13,510 and potential imprisonment for up to one year, following allegations that ants were served atop sorbet dishes. The restaurant proprietor, whose identity remains undisclosed in court papers, admitted to serving ants. These insects are not among the species approved for human consumption according to South Korea’s Food Sanitation Act. While the law sanctions 10 insect species for human consumption, ants are not included, as reported by the BBC.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea identified this breach through social media and online reviews from patrons noting the presence of ants in their meals. Prosecutors argue that these ants contained heavy metal concentrations as high as 55 times the permissible limit for other edible insects. They accuse the restaurant of importing dried ants, using about 49,000 ants in meals since 2021.

Defense attorneys, as cited by The Chosun Daily, have challenged the prosecution’s figures. They claimed ants were an optional accompaniment to sorbet dishes, suggesting that only 60% of diners chose ants over other garnishing options like fermented vinegar and edible flowers.

The verdict on this matter is anticipated in September.

On a global scale, the edible insect market is experiencing growth. As previously reported by Fox News Digital, insects are consumed widely across various cultures, with the market predicted to expand from $1.73 billion in 2025 to $13.23 billion by 2034. Factors contributing to this growth include increased interest in sustainable nutrition, achieving resource efficiency, and broadening protein sources, according to Fortune Business Insights.

A report from Persistence Market Research identified beetles as accounting for 33% of the insect-based food market share in 2025. The yellow mealworm and lesser mealworm were also notable, while cricket and grasshopper segments are expanding rapidly.

Research conducted by the University of Beira Interior in Portugal found that individuals exposed to insect-based foods showed greater interest and receptiveness than anticipated. However, ants are not considered suitable for consumption in South Korea.

In the United States, insect-based food products such as Chirps Chips, which are tortilla-style chips made with cricket flour, are available to consumers. Other products include cricket protein powders and snack bars, illustrating the growing appeal of insect-based foods.

Teresa Mull, contributing to Fox News Digital’s Lifestyle team, provides insights into the evolving market for insect-based foods.