CA Restaurant E. Coli Outbreak Stems From SoCal Franchise

LOS ANGELES, CA — An E. coli outbreak linked to seasoned ground beef kebabs served at multiple locations of The Kebab Shop restaurant chain in Southern and Northern California is being investigated by California Public health officials, it was announced Friday.

A total of nine California residents have been infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, commonly known as STEC. Illness onset dates ranged from March 27 through April 30, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Out of the nine sickened, six were children. Five of the total sickened were hospitalized, and two of those individuals had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure.

No one has died as a result of the illness, health officials said.

After a thorough investigation, health officials linked the infected individuals to having ingested grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop.

They determined that it was the likely source of the outbreak.

Sales of the kofta were stopped nationwide on May 18, according to the restaurant chain.

The restaurant chain, headquartered in Poway, has voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations on Monday and is cooperating with the investigation, according to CDPH.

Kebab Shop CEO Arian Baryalai released a statement on the E. Coli outbreak.

"At The Kebab Shop (TKS), the health and safety of our guests, our team members, and our communities are at the heart of everything we do. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has informed us that cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to ground beef (beef kofta) sourced from a single supplier and previously used at our restaurants," Baryalai said. "We ask anyone experiencing symptoms to seek proper medical attention and contact the California Department of Public Health."

The health department shared the E. Coli exposure from the Kebab Shop is not ongoing.

"The risk of exposure to this product is not ongoing at this time," they said in a statement. "While the investigation is ongoing, current information suggests the implicated beef product was distributed only to The Kebab Shop. CDPH and partner agencies continue to investigate to identify the cause of the outbreak, monitor for additional ill persons, and conduct product testing."

Symptoms of STEC infection can include diarrhea, often bloody, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Symptoms generally begin three to four days after infection, according to CDPH.

Consumers who ate beef kofta from any location of The Kebab Shop and developed symptoms within 10 days were urged to contact a health care provider. Consumers were also advised to discard any leftover grilled beef kofta from the restaurant chain.

Health officials also reminded consumers to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees and to wash and sanitize surfaces or utensils that may have come into contact with raw or undercooked beef.

The Kebab Shop is closely coordinating with public health authorities and have established a number for our guests to call: 888-965-5821 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and throughout the Memorial Day weekend, May 23–24, 2026, or e-mail FoodSafety@thekebabshop.com.