The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a public health alert for beef used by the Kebab Shop restaurants in Texas, California and Florida. It has been tied to cases of E. coli. The ground beef was produced on Jan. 6 by Olympia Meat Packing in Illinois and supplied to the Kebab Shop locations in those three states. The beef was used in the beef kofta, a meatball-like kebab.
The California Department of Public Health and the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service began investigating an E. coli outbreak involving at least nine people in California. The illnesses happened between March 27 and April 30. The Kebab Shop stopped selling the beef kofta at all its restaurants on May 18, the USDA alert said.
The beef might have been contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, the USDA alert said. That particular strain of E. coli causes the most severe illness, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What are the symptoms of E. coli?
The Texas Department of State Health Services lists these symptoms:
- Diarrhea and/or bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps and pain
- If fever is present, it can be very mild
- Chills
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Headache
- Poor feeding
If you have had beef kofta at the Kebab Shop and have had these symptoms, call your primary care physician.
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can cause problems with the kidneys and the blood, which can lead to a severe illness that requires medical treatment.
How can you prevent E. coli?
E. coli is most often spread after eating or touching contaminated food.
If you are preparing food:
- Cook all meat to 160 degrees or greater and use a meat thermometer.
- Store food in a refrigerator that is at or below 40 degrees or a freezer that is at or below 0 degrees.
- Wash hands, knives, utensils, cutting boards and kitchen surfaces when preparing meat, dairy, vegetables and fruit.
- Use hot, soapy water to clean the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator and clean up spills immediately. Clean up any juices from raw meat immediately with hot, soapy water.
- Thoroughly cook all frozen foods to at least 160 degrees.
For young children, seniors and anyone with a compromised immune system:
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat products, especially ground meat.
- Do not eat any raw or unpasteurized dairy products or fruit juices.
- Do not eat ready-to-bake products before cooking, such as cookie dough.
Wash your hands well:
- Before preparing food.
- After handling any raw food, ready-to-eat or processed meat, including pet foods.
- After touching any animal or visiting an animal enclosure such as a petting zoo.
- After using the bathroom, changing diapers, or helping someone with diarrhea.
- Before eating.