The Kebab Shop Public Health Alert for Beef Kofta Over Possible E. Coli O157 Contamination

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for beef kofta products that The Kebab Shop served at restaurant locations in California, Texas, and Florida after investigators identified possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O157. FSIS said Olympia Food Industries, Inc. supplied the products to the restaurant chain. Regulators did not request a recall because consumers can no longer purchase the affected products.

The Kebab Shop public health alert: quick summary

According to FSIS, the public health alert involves raw ground beef kofta products produced by Olympia Food Industries, Inc. on Jan. 6, 2026, and served at The Kebab Shop restaurant locations in three states. Federal and California health officials are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157 linked to nine reported illnesses in California. The agency confirmed that The Kebab Shop voluntarily stopped selling beef kofta at all locations on May 18, 2026. Consumers who still have leftover beef kofta should discard it immediately and monitor themselves for symptoms of STEC infection.

What happened?

FSIS issued the public health alert after investigators identified a possible link between beef kofta products served at The Kebab Shop and an outbreak of E. coli O157 illnesses in California. Olympia Food Industries, Inc., based in Franklin Park, Illinois, produced the raw ground beef kofta products on Jan. 6, 2026, before supplying them to restaurant locations in California, Texas, and Florida.

The agency said the problem was discovered during an ongoing illness outbreak investigation involving FSIS, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and local California health departments. According to regulators, nine people in California reported illnesses with onset dates ranging from March 27 through April 30, 2026.

FSIS said samples of raw ground beef kofta tested positive for E. coli O157. Further testing remains ongoing to determine whether the samples match the outbreak strain connected to the illnesses.

In its public health alert, FSIS warned that “E. coli O157 is a potentially deadly bacterium” that can cause serious illness, particularly among vulnerable groups. The agency also stated that “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.”

The Kebab Shop stopped selling beef kofta products at all restaurant locations on May 18, 2026, according to FSIS.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Best by date	Issue	Affected states or zones
The Kebab Shop	Beef kofta	Restaurant-served product	Served after Jan. 6, 2026	Possible E. coli O157 contamination	California, Texas, Florida

What caused the issue?

According to the FSIS notice, the issue involves possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157, a dangerous foodborne bacterium associated with severe gastrointestinal illness.

Health officials said symptoms can include dehydration, bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms typically appear between two and eight days after exposure, with an average onset of three to four days.

FSIS confirmed that while most people recover within a week, some patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious form of kidney failure. Young children under five, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk of severe complications.

As of May 24, 2026, regulators reported nine illnesses in California. Officials have not linked any deaths to the outbreak.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Discard any leftover beef kofta purchased from The Kebab Shop
• Review receipts or recent restaurant purchases if you dined at affected locations
• Watch for symptoms including diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dehydration
• Seek medical attention if symptoms develop within 10 days of exposure
• Consumers can contact The Kebab Shop at 888-965-5821 or [email protected] for additional information or questions regarding the alert

Behind the brand

Olympia Food Industries, Inc., operating as Olympia Foods, is a Franklin Park, Illinois-based food manufacturer specializing in meat products and prepared protein items for foodservice customers. The company operates under establishment number 18743 and supplies products to restaurant operators and commercial food businesses across the United States.

The Kebab Shop is a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain known for wraps, bowls, plates, and grilled meat offerings inspired by Middle Eastern street food.

According to the company’s public health alert notice, The Kebab Shop has “ceased distribution of the affected product” and is cooperating with regulators during the ongoing investigation.

Other relevant recalls

This latest public health alert follows a broader pattern of E. coli-related food safety incidents affecting beef and ground meat products across the United States. In recent months, several recalls and alerts have involved raw beef products contaminated with STEC bacteria, prompting renewed attention on supplier verification and pathogen testing programs.

Recent examples include CS Beef Packers recalling 11 tons of ground beef over possible E. coli O145 contamination, followed by another CS Beef Packers recall involving 22,912 pounds of ground beef products tied to the same pathogen concern. Mountain West Food Group also issued a recall for ground beef products over possible E. coli O26 contamination, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing meat processors and food safety regulators.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the incident highlights broader supply chain responsibilities across the food industry:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every public health alert reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Broader pattern

The FSIS alert involving beef kofta products reflects ongoing industry concerns surrounding foodborne pathogen outbreaks linked to raw ground beef products. Federal agencies continue to monitor E. coli outbreaks closely as restaurants and suppliers face increasing pressure to strengthen sanitation controls, temperature management, and pathogen testing protocols.

Industry experts say restaurants working with raw ground beef products must maintain strict supplier oversight and proper cooking procedures to minimize consumer risk. FSIS continues to advise consumers to cook all ground beef products to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, verified with a food thermometer.

Ensuring safe eats

The latest public health alert tied to beef kofta products served at The Kebab Shop underscores the importance of strong food safety practices throughout the supply chain, from meat processing facilities to restaurant kitchens. Preventing bacterial contamination requires ongoing monitoring, supplier accountability, sanitation controls, and rapid response procedures when outbreaks occur.

Consumers who still have leftover beef kofta products should discard them immediately and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision so supply chains can respond quickly and responsibly when food safety incidents occur. Contact us.