California health officials announced Friday they are investigating 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. The California Department of Public Health said nine California reside nts 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. Two of those nine California residents were infected with STEC after eating at San Diego County locations, according to the County. One of those victims was hospitalized but has since been released. Currently, no cases outside California are currently connected to the outbreak, the County said. The Kebab Shop has multiple locations throughout San Diego County, from East Village to San Marcos. Find a full list of locations here. According to the department, six of the illnesses involved children. Five people were hospitalized and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Health officials said interviews with infected individuals indicated grilled beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop was the likely source of the outbreak. The restaurant chain voluntarily paused sales of grilled beef kofta at all locations Monday and is cooperating with the investigation, according to CDPH. The Kebab Shop’s CEO Arian Baryalai issued a statement including: “We immediately stopped all sales of ground beef (beef kofta) nationwide on May 18, 2026, after CDPH linked the product as a potential source of the outbreak.” “As a result, there is no ongoing risk associated with this issue. All other proteins sold at TKS come from different suppliers and are not associated with this issue. TKS restaurants inspected as part of the CDPH’s investigation confirmed their compliance with all health and safety regulations.” Baryalai added that they are closely coordinating with public health authorities and have established a number for guests to call (888-965-5821) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, and throughout the Memorial Day weekend, May 23–24, 2026, or e-mail [email protected]. “The risk of exposure to this product is not ongoing at this time,” the California Department of Public Health 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 develop symptoms within 10 days were urged to contact a health care provider. Consumers also were 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 opened its first location in downtown San Diego in 2007, according to its website. The restaurant chain also has multiple locations in Orange and Los Angeles Counties and the Bay Area. ...read more read less