Walmart’s ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Strategy Appears to Be Working

(KMDL-FM) If you are looking for two words that will capture the attention of young and old, rich and poor, the words "explosive diarrhea" might be the best two to choose. No, that is the most palatable topic for conversation, but the medical malady has been in the news for most of the summer. You might be asking, " Is it safe to eat lettuce again?

Following Parasite Scare - Is It Safe to Eat Lettuce Again?

Brandon Bell, Getty Images

The quick answer to the question would be yes, at least in most places, but it does appear as though, of all the places affected by the lettuce-to-diarrhea superhighway, Walmart may have fared best by doing something that most of us don't think of as a typical Walmart strategy.

What Caused the Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak?

To recap the story, Taylor Farms de Mexico, a leading supplier of produce to the United States, revealed an issue with Cyclospora. That is a parasite that can cause major gastric issues when consumed by humans. A large quantity of product from Taylor Farms de Mexico had made its way into the American food chain; the resulting illnesses were rampant.

READ MORE: Louisiana Parishes with Most Explosive Diarrhea Cases

During the height of the "explosive diarrhea" scare, foot traffic in Taco Bell stores, one of the chain's most affected by the outbreak, fell by some 20%. Kroger stores also saw their foot traffic and produce sales greatly affected by the outbreak.

Google Maps Google Streetview

In each case, the leaders of those brands and companies made public statements about the parasite and what was being done to protect consumers. In marketing classes, they would tell you that this is "getting out in front of the story". But was that the best strategy?

How Did Walmart Handle Explosive Diarrhea Emergency? Why The Strategy Worked

Walmart, on the other hand, remained quiet. The company took all the appropriate actions deemed necessary by the FDA to remove the contaminated products from its shelves, but otherwise, there was not a lot of attention being drawn to anything Walmart was doing, and it appears as though that strategy has paid off with consumers.

Scott Olson, Getty Images

Evidently, by not "making a scene," Walmart weathered the Cyclospora storm by actually increasing its grocery business. Does this mean that in the future, when there are potential health-risk recalls, major retailers will go silent? Would it surprise you if they did?

We are certainly not suggesting that Walmart did anything that would endanger any consumer. What they did was allow someone else to absorb the negative attention while they quietly made sure every product was vetted, checked, and safe for their customers.

READ MORE: Cyclospora: What Are Symptoms and How Long Do They Last

Regardless, while there are still cases of Cyclospora in treatment, it does appear as though we have turned a corner in regard to this outbreak. It's still incumbent upon you to make sure all food, especially produce that is consumed by your family, is completely washed. And if you don't want to risk it, you can always grab something and bring it home.