FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2026
LAWSUIT FILED OVER E. COLI O157:H7 OUTBREAK LINKED TO THE KEBAB SHOP BEEF KOFTA IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA
Complaint alleges child suffered acute kidney failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome after eating food tied to the spring 2026 outbreak.
SAN DIEGO, California — A lawsuit has been filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, on behalf of Jeffrey Gogue, individually and on behalf of his minor child, K.G., against TKS Restaurants dba The Kebab Shop and Olympia Foods Industries, Inc. dba Olympia Foods. The complaint alleges that K.G. suffered a severe E. coli O157:H7 infection and hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, after consuming food from The Kebab Shop in Costa Mesa, California on March 28, 2026.
According to the complaint, K.G. purchased and consumed food (in Orange County) that included beef kofta and developed bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting the next day. By April 3, 2026, her condition had deteriorated and she was taken to Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where she was found to be in acute kidney failure. The lawsuit alleges that she developed HUS, was hospitalized for 17 days, underwent significant life-saving treatment, and continues to require ongoing medical care.
The lawsuit was filed against the backdrop of a reported outbreak investigation involving Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 linked to beef kofta served at multiple The Kebab Shop locations in Northern and Southern California. According to the complaint, the California Department of Public Health announced on May 22, 2026, that it had identified an outbreak associated with consumption of beef kofta served at The Kebab Shop.
The complaint further states that, as of May 19, 2026, nine California residents had been infected with the outbreak strain, with illness-onset dates ranging from March 27 through April 30, 2026. Six of the identified victims were children, five were hospitalized, and two developed HUS. Interviews with ill individuals indicated that grilled beef kofta served at multiple The Kebab Shop locations was the likely outbreak source, and The Kebab Shop reportedly paused sales of beef kofta at all locations on May 18, 2026.
The complaint also references a May 24, 2026 statement from The Kebab Shop indicating that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had issued a public health announcement concerning raw ground beef kofta supplied by Olympia Foods and that Olympia Foods was no longer a supplier to TKS.
“This lawsuit seeks accountability for a devastating and preventable foodborne illness. No child should have to endure such a severe illness after eating a meal from a restaurant,” said Ron Simon of Ron Simon & Associates.
“E. coli O157:H7 can cause catastrophic injuries, especially in children. We intend to pursue justice for this family and determine how contaminated beef reached the public,” said John H. Gomez of Gomez Trial Attorneys.
The lawsuit asserts claims for strict products liability, negligence, including negligence per se, and breach of implied warranties, and seeks damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, impairment, and other losses.
Case Information
Jeffrey Gogue, individually and on behalf of his minor child, K.G. v. TKS Restaurants dba The Kebab Shop; Olympia Foods Industries, Inc. dba Olympia Foods; and Does 1–50
Superior Court of California, County of Orange
Filed: May 25, 2026
Media Contacts
| Ron Simon & Associates Ron Simon | Anthony C. Coveny 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1455 Houston, Texas 77024 (713) 335-4900 rsaalaw.com | Gomez Trial Attorneys John H. Gomez 755 Front Street San Diego, California 92101 (619) 237-3490 getgomezfirm.com |
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