Ant Penalty for Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Seoul
A South Korean court has fined the operator and a senior executive of the two Michelin-starred restaurant Evett for serving desserts containing ants in violation of regulations.
The operator and manager of Evett, a two Michelin-starred restaurant located in Seoul, South Korea, have been fined by a court for using ants in dishes that are not approved for consumption under local food safety laws.
Trial and Fines
The Seoul Western District Court fined the business 10 million won and the company executive 15 million won for serving illegal food. Judge Lee Se-chang stated that the offense was not minor.
Import and Served Dessert
It was determined that the restaurant imported dried ants via mail from the US and Thailand, serving them on top of a traditional sorbet dessert. It was also disclosed that the practice was used for promotional purposes for a period of time.
Court's Rationale
The judge considered the defendants' admission of guilt, the executive's lack of a criminal record, and the fact that the restaurant no longer uses ants as mitigating factors. The parties have the right to appeal the decision within seven days.
Food Safety Regulations
According to South Korea's food safety laws, only a limited number of insect species are approved as food ingredients, and temporary permits are required for unapproved species. The investigation was launched following social media posts.