A popular Mediterranean chain with a big San Diego footprint is now at the center of a serious E. coli outbreak that has sickened nine Californians, including six children, after they ate grilled beef kofta at The Kebab Shop. State health officials say the cases involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. Five people have been hospitalized and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous complication that can lead to kidney failure.
The Kebab Shop has voluntarily pulled its grilled beef kofta from the menu, and health officials are urging anyone who ate the dish and develops symptoms within 10 days to contact a health care provider. It is definitely not the kind of heat anyone signed up for.
State Investigators Zero In On Beef Kofta
The California Department of Public Health reports that as of Tuesday, nine California residents have been infected with the outbreak strain, with illness onset dates ranging from March 27 through April 30. Six of those illnesses involve children. Five patients were hospitalized, and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, according to the department.
Interviews with sick individuals pointed investigators to grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop as the likely source of exposure. The department added that current information suggests the implicated beef product was distributed only to The Kebab Shop locations, not to the broader retail supply chain.
Chain Footprint And Local Impact
NBC 7 San Diego notes that The Kebab Shop operates multiple locations across San Diego County, as well as in Orange and Los Angeles counties and the Bay Area. County spots include East Village, Little Italy and Mira Mesa, and the chain first opened a downtown San Diego shop in 2007.
Health officials have not publicly broken down cases by specific restaurant, but the chain’s large regional footprint means the warning covers anyone who recently ordered grilled beef kofta at any of its locations.
Company Response
The Kebab Shop posted a statement from CEO Arian Baryalai, saying the company immediately stopped nationwide sales of ground beef (beef kofta) on Monday and that the product in question came from a single supplier. Restaurants inspected as part of the investigation were found to comply with health and safety regulations, the company said.
The update also notes that a hotline has been set up for concerned guests, according to The Kebab Shop. The company emphasized that it is working closely with public health agencies as the investigation continues.
Symptoms And Safety Steps
Symptoms of STEC infection can include abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea that may become bloody. They typically start three to four days after exposure but can appear anywhere from one to ten days later.
The CDC notes that hemolytic uremic syndrome is a serious complication of E. coli infection, especially in young children. Warning signs can include decreased urination, unusual fatigue and loss of color in the cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.
The California Department of Public Health is advising consumers to throw away any leftover grilled beef kofta from The Kebab Shop and to contact a health care provider if they develop symptoms within 10 days of eating the dish. Federal guidance from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill harmful bacteria.
