Parasite outbreaks in produce have been in the news again, and if you've been feeling uneasy about what's actually safe to eat, you're not alone. In this episode of Unapologetically Significant, Rich and Shelley walk through what's really happening with recent lettuce and berry contamination, why raspberries and blackberries are more vulnerable than blueberries and strawberries, and why parasites showing up in produce almost always traces back to contaminated water or soil, not something wrong with the food itself.

They also break down the truth about prepackaged, pre-washed salad greens: what "triple washed" actually means, why chlorine and plastic packaging aren't as clean as they seem, and why washing produce yourself, even the pre-washed kind, still matters. Rich and Shelley share their own at-home washing method using cold water, baking soda, and vinegar, plus practical tips for reviving wilted greens and understanding food freshness.

The conversation moves into a bigger-picture message: you already carry parasites, and a strong immune system is what keeps them in check. Rich and Shelley cover the daily habits that build that resilience, plant-heavy nutrition, real vitamin C from whole foods, and quality probiotics, plus why some store-bought probiotics lose potency before they even reach the shelf. They also touch on avoiding plastic exposure from food storage, shakers, and microwaving, and when digestive symptoms like diarrhea or constipation are a sign to actually see a doctor.

Rich Humphreys is a board-certified Ayurvedic practitioner and chemical engineer. Shelley Marie is a certified nutritionist with a master's in Ayurvedic nutrition, herbalist, and health chef. Together they host Unapologetically Significant, a holistic health and alternative health podcast focused on gut health, food safety, and practical, real-food nutrition.

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Topics covered: parasites in food, produce safety, prepackaged salad greens, food contamination, immune system, gut health, probiotics, vitamin C, plastic exposure, holistic health, whole food nutrition.