What We Know About The Kebab Shop E. coli Outbreak
The California Department of Public Health is investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop restaurant chain locations in Northern and Southern California. CDPH said the outbreak involves Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, also called STEC.
As of May 19, 2026, CDPH reported 9 California illnesses, 5 hospitalizations, and 2 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Six of the nine sick people are children. No deaths have been reported.
Beef Kofta Is the Likely Source
Interviews with ill people point to grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop as the likely outbreak source, and CDPH says current information suggests the implicated beef product was distributed only to The Kebab Shop. The Kebab Shop voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations on May 18, 2026. Health officials are still working to identify the cause, monitor for additional cases, and test the product.
On May 24, 2026, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for the beef kofta. FSIS identified it as a raw ground beef product produced by Olympia Food Industries, Inc. (Establishment 18743) of Franklin Park, Illinois on January 6, 2026, and supplied to The Kebab Shop locations in California, Texas, and Florida. To date, illnesses have been reported only in California.
On June 1, 2026, FSIS updated the alert to report that whole genome sequencing confirmed the beef kofta samples it collected, produced at Olympia Food Industries, match the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. This provided laboratory confirmation of the link to the illnesses.
San Diego County Cases
San Diego County reported 2 local STEC cases in people who ate at The Kebab Shop locations in the county. One person was hospitalized and later released. County health officials urged anyone who ate at The Kebab Shop between March 27 and April 30, 2026 and later developed stomach illness to seek medical care right away.
Why E. Coli O157:H7 Cases Need Careful Medical Follow-Up
STEC O157:H7 can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that often becomes bloody. Symptoms usually begin 3 to 4 days after infection, but CDPH advises anyone who develops symptoms within 10 days of eating beef kofta from The Kebab Shop to contact a health care provider.
HUS is the key complication in this outbreak. It can lead to acute kidney failure and is especially dangerous for young children. CDPH reported 2 HUS cases, which makes prompt medical care and stool testing important for both treatment and any later food poisoning claim.
First Lawsuit Filed Against The Kebab Shop
On May 26, 2026, Ron Simon & Associates and Gomez Trial Attorneys filed the first lawsuit in this outbreak in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, on behalf of a minor identified by the initials K.G. Ron Simon & Associates alleges that K.G. ate a beef kofta plate at a Costa Mesa location of The Kebab Shop, developed bloody diarrhea the next day, and was admitted to a children’s hospital with acute kidney failure. The firm alleges K.G. underwent several life-saving treatments, spent 17 days in the hospital, and was left with ongoing kidney injury consistent with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Ron Simon & Associates brings claims for strict products liability, negligence including negligence per se, and breach of implied warranties.
Your Legal Rights
If you ate beef kofta from The Kebab Shop and developed E. coli O157:H7 symptoms, you may have a food poisoning lawsuit. Strong cases often include a positive stool test, medical records showing the timing of symptoms, and proof that you ate at The Kebab Shop during the outbreak window.
For background on the infection itself, start with our E. coli lawyer page, and if HUS is involved our HUS lawyer page covers how those cases are handled. Every illness in this outbreak is in California, and our California food poisoning lawyer page walks through the deadlines that apply here.
Ron Simon & Associates is a food poisoning law firm representing victims of serious E. coli outbreaks nationwide. Our E. coli lawyers can investigate your exposure, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation for medical bills, hospitalization, lost wages, pain and suffering, and HUS-related complications. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call 1-888-335-4901 for a free consultation.