Updated June 2 with test results. The California Department of Public Health is investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop. As of May 19, nine California residents have been infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. Six of the people sickened are children, five people have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
Health officials say people became ill between March 27 and April 30, 2026. Interviews with sick people indicate that grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop is the likely source of the outbreak. The Kebab Shop has paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations, and CDPH says the risk of exposure to this product is not ongoing at this time.
The Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers are investigating this outbreak. If you or your child developed an E. coli infection after eating beef kofta from The Kebab Shop, call us at 1-888-377-8900 or text us at 612-261-0856 for a free consultation. Our legal teams helps people affected by E. coli poisoning in California and in all fifty states.
The Kebab Shop Stopped Selling Ground Beef After CDPH Linked It to the Outbreak
In a statement from The Kebab Shop CEO, the company said CDPH informed it that cases of E. coli O157:H7 had been linked to ground beef, also described as beef kofta, sourced from a single supplier and previously used at its restaurants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) collected beef kofta samples produced at Olympia Food Industries in Franklin Park, IL, and tested them. Results of whole genome sequencing tests were positive for the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 that was found in cultures from the outbreak patients.
The company said it stopped all sales of ground beef nationwide on May 18, 2026. The Kebab Shop also stated that other proteins sold at its restaurants come from different suppliers and are not associated with this issue.
CDPH has advised customers who have leftover grilled beef kofta from The Kebab Shop to throw it away. Anyone who ate beef kofta from any The Kebab Shop location and develops symptoms within 10 days should contact a health care provider.
What Are the Symptoms of an E. coli O157:H7 Infection?
E. coli O157:H7 is one of the most dangerous types of STEC. According to the CDPH STEC fact sheet, STEC symptoms usually begin three to four days after exposure and can include:
- Severe stomach cramps
- Diarrhea, which may be bloody
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever or no fever
Most people recover within about a week, but some develop serious complications that require hospitalization and that can lead to substantial long-term health problems. Young children and older adults are at increased risk of very severe illness.
Two People in This Outbreak Developed HUS
Two people in this outbreak have developed HUS. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a very serious complication of STEC infection that can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems, and death.
Signs that someone with diarrhea may be developing HUS include:
- Urinating less often or not at all
- Unexplained bruising or tiny red spots on the skin
- Blood in the urine
- Unusual tiredness or irritability
- Loss of pink color in the cheeks or inside the lower eyelids
- Decreased alertness
HUS is a medical emergency. Anyone with these symptoms should get medical care immediately.
Pritzker Hageman’s E. coli-HUS lawyers have represented many children and adults who developed kidney failure and other serious complications after E. coli infections. Our legal team understands how quickly an E. coli illness can become a medical crisis for an entire family.
Why Ground Beef E. coli Outbreaks Are Dangerous
Ground beef products can be especially risky when contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 because bacteria on the surface of meat can be mixed throughout the product during grinding. Beef kofta is made with ground beef, so proper cooking and food handling are critical.
CDPH recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of at least 160°F and checking the temperature with a food thermometer. But in restaurant outbreaks, customers may have no way of knowing whether a product was contaminated before it reached the restaurant or whether it was handled or cooked safely.
When a restaurant, supplier, distributor, or food company is linked to an outbreak, people who were sickened may have legal claims for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Learn more about restaurant food poisoning lawsuits and when you can sue for food poisoning.
What Should You Do If You Ate Beef Kofta from The Kebab Shop and Got Sick?
If you ate beef kofta from The Kebab Shop and developed diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, or bloody diarrhea, you should:
- Contact a health care provider right away. Ask whether you should be tested for STEC, including E. coli O157:H7.
- Tell your doctor about the outbreak exposure. Explain that CDPH is investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to The Kebab Shop beef kofta.
- Report your illness to your local health department. Public health officials use reports and lab testing to identify outbreak cases.
- Save records. Keep receipts, delivery app records, medical records, lab results, and notes about what you ate and when symptoms started.
- Contact an experienced E. coli lawyer. A lawyer can help determine whether your illness is linked to the outbreak and whether you may have a claim.
Can You Sue The Kebab Shop for E. coli Food Poisoning?
You may have a claim if you were diagnosed with E. coli and your illness can be linked to beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop. In outbreak cases, evidence may include lab testing, public health interviews, whole genome sequencing, purchase records, restaurant records, supplier records, and other investigation findings.
The Pritzker Hageman food poisoning attorneys have handled hundreds of E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and other foodborne illness cases across the country. Our team has represented people sickened in major restaurant and food product outbreaks, including children who developed HUS.
If you or your child was sickened in this outbreak, contact Pritzker Hageman for a free consultation. We are not paid unless we win for you.
Call: 1-888-377-8900
Text: 612-261-0856
Online: Contact our E. coli legal team