A Michelin-starred chef in South Korea is facing a possible one-year prison sentence after prosecutors accused his restaurant of serving nearly 49,000 imported ants to diners over the past four years. Authorities allege the ants, imported from the United States and Thailand, were used to garnish sorbet desserts despite ants not being among the 10 insect species approved for human consumption under South Korean law. Investigators also claim the ants contained heavy metal levels far above the legal safety limit. The chef admitted that ants were served but said they were offered only as an optional garnish, with diners able to choose edible flowers or vinegar instead. The restaurant argues that only about 60 percent of customers opted for the ant topping and maintains the ingredient is used in fine dining in several other countries. A court is expected to deliver its verdict in September.