---
title: Kebab Shop E. coli Outbreak Sickens Nine
date: 2026-05-22T20:20:00-07:00
author: Bill Marler
canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/kebab-shop-e-coli-outbreak-sickens-nine"
section: Litigation Landing Pages
---
[Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) /

# Kebab Shop E. coli Outbreak Sickens Nine

 

 

 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers to be aware of possible exposure to Shiga toxin-producing *E. coli* (STEC) O157:H7 bacteria from consumption of beef kofta (seasoned ground beef kebabs) served at The Kebab Shop restaurant chain locations in Northern and Southern California. Consumers should call their health care provider if they become sick with symptoms of STEC infection within 10 days of eating this product.

CDPH is working with local health departments and federal partners to investigate an STEC O157:H7 outbreak linked to the consumption of beef kofta served at several California locations of The Kebab Shop restaurant chain. The Kebab Shop has voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations.

Symptoms of STEC infection may include diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually start three to four days after a person is infected. Most people get better on their own within a week, but some people may develop severe diseases that require hospital care. Young children are at highest risk of getting hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to acute kidney failure.

As of May 19, 2026, nine California residents have been infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7. Illness onset dates range from March 27 through April 30, 2026. Six illnesses are in children. Five individuals have been hospitalized, and two have developed HUS. No deaths have been reported. No individuals from other states are currently linked to this outbreak.

Interviews with ill individuals indicate that grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop is the likely outbreak source. The Kebab Shop is fully cooperating with public health officials and voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations on May 18.

The risk of exposure to this product is not ongoing at this time. 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.

[William “Bill” Marler ](http://www.billmarler.com/)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”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=1020790832&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D1725078326%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FPoisoned-Deadly-Outbreak-Changed-Americans%252Fdp%252F098495435X%26a%3D%2522Poisoned%2522&a=%22Poisoned%22) and in the recent Emmy Award winning [Netflix documentary](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=2811251747&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D3559152489%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.netflix.com%252Ftitle%252F81460481%2523%253A%257E%253Atext%253D2023%252520%25257C%252520Maturity%252520Rating%25253ATV%25252D%252Cfoodborne%252520illness%252520in%252520the%252520US.%26a%3DNetflix%2Bdocumentary&a=Netflix+documentary) by the same name. Bill work has been profiled in the New Yorker, [“A Bug in the System;”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=3494984181&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D225575945%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.newyorker.com%252Fmagazine%252F2015%252F02%252F02%252Fbug-system%26a%3D%2522A%2BBug%2Bin%2Bthe%2BSystem%253B%2522&a=%22A+Bug+in+the+System%3B%22) the Seattle Times, [“30 years after the deadly *E. coli*](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=4179970871&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D3012787211%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.seattletimes.com%252Fpacific-nw-magazine%252F30-years-after-the-deadly-e-coli-outbreak-a-seattle-attorney-still-fights-for-food-safety%252F%26a%3D%252230%2Byears%2Bafter%2Bthe%2Bdeadly%2BE.%2Bcoli%2Boutbreak%252C%2BA%2BSeattle%2Battorney%2Bstill%2Bfights%2Bfor%2Bfood%2Bsafety%253B%2522&a=%2230+years+after+the+deadly%C2%A0E.+colioutbreak%2C+A%C2%A0Seattle%C2%A0attorney+still+fights+for+food+safety%3B%22) [outbreak, A Seattle attorney still fights for food safety;”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=4179970871&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D3012787211%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.seattletimes.com%252Fpacific-nw-magazine%252F30-years-after-the-deadly-e-coli-outbreak-a-seattle-attorney-still-fights-for-food-safety%252F%26a%3D%252230%2Byears%2Bafter%2Bthe%2Bdeadly%2BE.%2Bcoli%2Boutbreak%252C%2BA%2BSeattle%2Battorney%2Bstill%2Bfights%2Bfor%2Bfood%2Bsafety%253B%2522&a=%2230+years+after+the+deadly%C2%A0E.+colioutbreak%2C+A%C2%A0Seattle%C2%A0attorney+still+fights+for+food+safety%3B%22) the Washington Post, [“He helped make burgers safer, Now he is fighting food poisoning again;”](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=4007553127&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4034776-2%26h%3D3259035492%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.washingtonpost.com%252Fnational%252Fhe-helped-make-burgers-safer-now-hes-fighting-food-poisoning-again%252F2020%252F01%252F18%252F5b979cf8-38ad-11ea-9541-9107303481a4_story.html%26a%3D%2522He%2Bhelped%2Bmake%2Bburgers%2Bsafer%252C%2BNow%2Bhe%2Bis%2Bfighting%2Bfood%2Bpoisoning%2Bagain%253B%2522&a=%22He+helped+make+burgers+safer%2C+Now+he+is+fighting+food+poisoning+again%3B%22) and [several others. ](https://billmarler.com/about)

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](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=1230212809&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marlerblog.com%2F&a=Marler+Blog). Bill is also the publisher of [Food Safety News](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4225647-1&h=4125170773&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2447639-1%26h%3D3589830031%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.foodsafetynews.com%252F%26a%3DFood%2BSafety%2BNews&a=Food+Safety+News).

[Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/)outbreaks and [hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)](http://www.about-hus.com/). The [E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark](http://www.marlerclark.com/practice_areas/view/e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-litigation) have represented thousands of victims of [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/) 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](https://about-ecoli.com/) lawyers have litigated [E. coli](https://about-ecoli.com/) 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](https://about-ecoli.com/) 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](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/jack-in-the-box-e-coli-outbreak-western-states), [Stephanie Smith](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/cargill-e-coli-outbreak-minnesota) and [Linda Rivera](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/multi-state-e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-linked-to-uncooked-nestle-toll-house-coo).

If you or a family member became ill with an [E. coli](http://www.about-ecoli.com/) infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark [E. coli](http://www.about-ecoli.com/) attorneys for a free case evaluation.

  

### E. coli outbreaks and recalls

August 23, 2023

###### [Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) 

Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials …

 

July 12, 2023

###### [2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) 

A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The …

 

May 20, 2023

###### [A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) 

Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states …

 

 [1. View all
 ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) 

 

## All E. coli Resources

 

 [######  E. coli Food Poisoning 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) [######  E. coli O157:H7 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) [######  Non-O157 STEC 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) [######  Sources of E. coli 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) [######  Transmission of and Infection with E. coli 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) [######  Symptoms of E. coli infection 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/symptoms-of-e-coli-infection) [######  Complications of E. coli infection 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/complications-of-e-coli-infection) [######  Treatment for E. coli infection 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/treatment-for-e-coli-infection) [######  How is E. coli Infection Diagnosed? 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/how-is-e-coli-infection-diagnosed) [######  Preventing E. coli Infection 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/preventing-e-coli-infection) [######  E. coli Outbreaks 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-outbreaks) [######  Real Life Impacts of E. coli Infection and HUS 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/real-life-impacts-of-e-coli-infection-and-hus) [######  E. coli Recalls 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-recalls) [######  References 

 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/references) 

### Other foodborne illnesses

 [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)
