McDonald's is trying to reassure customers after the deadly E. coli outbreak

McDonald's said Wednesday that customers should feel confident ordering from its restaurants despite a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders.

Joe Erlinger, McDonald's U.S. president, said in an interview on “Today” that the company has removed the Quarter Pounder from its menu in the 10 states where dozens of people were sickened, as well as in several other states.

A preliminary investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that raw onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination, and McDonald's said its initial findings suggest that some of the reported illnesses are linked to onions from a single supplier . The US Department of Agriculture is studying hamburger meat.

“What is important today is that we took action to protect the American public and promote public health,” Erlinger said. “We're confident we can get through this and restore American consumers' confidence in coming to McDonald's.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the outbreak late Tuesday. It said 49 infections were reported between September 27 and October 11 in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. One person in Colorado died and 10 people were hospitalized. Everyone mentioned eating Quarter Pounders, which contain a beef burger with pickles, slivered onions and a sesame seed bun.

The incubation period of E. coli is only a few days, so the disease would be quickly recognizable to anyone affected, said Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University. “If you ate these burgers in September and it's now mid-October and you haven't gotten sick, you're probably fine,” he said.

E. coli bacteria are found in the intestines of animals and are found in the environment. Infections can cause serious illnesses such as fever, stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. People who develop symptoms of E. coli poisoning should seek medical attention immediately and tell the provider what they have eaten.

Erlinger said it was possible the contaminated product had already made its way through McDonald's supply chain. But the company will work closely with the government and cooperate with the investigation, he said. Erlinger declined to name the supplier or say whether it supplies other restaurant chains or grocery stores.

McDonald's shares fell 4.5% in early trading on Wednesday.

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AP health reporter JoNel Aleccia contributed.