The owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea could spend a year in prison for serving a sorbet garnished with black ants. Prosecutors in Seoul requested a one-year jail term during a court hearing on Monday, according to local media reports. The chef, whose name and restaurant have not been publicly identified, is accused of violating South Korea’s food safety regulations. Under the law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption, including grasshoppers and brown mealworm larvae. Ants are not on the list. The dish was described as a palate-cleansing sorbet, with the ants added “to add a sour taste.” The case has drawn attention to the strict food safety rules in South Korea, where unconventional ingredients often face legal scrutiny. The restaurant had earned a Michelin star, a prestigious award in the culinary world. The prosecution’s request for a prison sentence highlights the seriousness of the violation. A final verdict has not been reached. The chef has not commented publicly on the charges.