Whole genome sequencing results show that the beef kofta samples collected by FSIS and produced at Olympia Food Industries (Est. 18743) matched the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. FSIS continues to coordinate with the California Department of Public Health and local health departments in California on the outbreak investigation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that beef kofta products served at The Kebab Shop restaurant locations may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157:H7. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
The beef kofta was produced as a raw ground beef product by Olympia Food Industries, Inc. dba Olympia Foods (Est. 18743) in Franklin Park, Illinois, on January 6, 2026, and supplied to The Kebab Shop restaurant locations in California, Texas, and Florida.
The problem was discovered as part of an ongoing illness outbreak investigation. FSIS, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and local health departments in California are investigating a localized outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that includes 9 sick people in California. As of May 24, 2026, illness onset dates have been reported ranging from March 27, 2026, to April 30, 2026. Because the identified illnesses are limited to California, CDPH is leading this investigation with FSIS. FSIS continues to keep its federal partners informed as the investigation progresses. FSIS collected raw ground beef kofta product samples that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Further testing is ongoing to determine if the product samples are related to the specific outbreak strain.
FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers in California, Texas, and Florida are aware of the outbreak. The Kebab Shop stopped selling beef kofta at all of its restaurant locations on May 18, 2026.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2 to 8 days (3 to 4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Consumers who ate beef kofta from any location of The Kebab Shop and develop symptoms of STEC infection within 10 days of exposure should contact their health care provider. Consumers should discard any leftover beef kofta from The Kebab Shop.
William “Bill” Marler has been a food safety lawyer and advocate since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box E. coli Outbreak which was chronicled in the book, “Poisoned” and in the recent Emmy Award winning Netflix documentary by the same name. Bill work has been profiled in the New Yorker, “A Bug in the System;” the Seattle Times, “30 years after the deadly E. coli outbreak, A Seattle attorney still fights for food safety;” the Washington Post, “He helped make burgers safer, Now he is fighting food poisoning again;” and several others.
Dozens of times a year Bill speaks to industry and government throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, China and Australia on why it is important to prevent foodborne illnesses. He is also a frequent commentator on food litigation and food safety on Marler Blog. Bill is also the publisher of Food Safety News.
E. coli: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $900 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products. The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s. We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.
If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.
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