FILE- Ground beef (Photo by Daniel Karmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for beef kofta products served at The Kebab Shop restaurant locations in three states due to possible E. coli contamination.
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What we know:
FSIS says the beef kofta was produced as a raw ground beef product by Olympia Food Industries, Inc. dba Olympia Foods in Franklin Park, Illinois, on January 6, 2026, and distributed to The Kebab Shop restaurant locations in California, Texas, and Florida. The possible E. coli contamination was discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation and FSIS says The Kebab Shop stopped selling beef kofta at all of its restaurant locations on May 18, 2026.
The investigation is being conducted by FSIS with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and so far, nine people have become ill in California. FSIS says further testing is ongoing to determine if the product samples are related to the specific outbreak strain.
What are the symptoms of E. coli infection?
Symptoms of E. coli infection generally appear within a day or two of consuming contaminated food. They may include:
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- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Signs of dehydration, such as increased thirst, dizziness, or low urine output
The CDC warns that E. coli poisoning can lead to serious kidney complications, particularly in young children under the age of 5, who may require immediate medical attention.
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