Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in South Korea is the government body responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food products sold within the country. Its regulations dictate which ingredients are permissible for human consumption. Recently, the MFDS's authority has been highlighted in a case involving a Michelin-starred restaurant owner. Prosecutors are seeking a one-year prison sentence and a fine for the owner, who allegedly served a dessert garnished with ants. This action is based on the fact that ants are not among the 10 insect species approved by the MFDS for consumption in South Korea. The approved list includes insects like grasshoppers and crickets, but not ants. This incident underscores the MFDS's role in maintaining food safety standards and enforcing regulations on novel or unapproved food ingredients, even in high-profile establishments.