Own Goal

Some memories never leave you.

For me, it’s standing on an elementary school playground with a field hockey stick, hoping I wouldn’t accidentally score on my own team. Years later, during a brief stint playing girls’ ice hockey in high school, that same fear followed me onto the ice. I wasn’t worried about missing the net or getting beaten by an opponent. My biggest concern was putting the puck into our goal.

At the time, I didn’t know there was a name for that — and I hadn’t thought about those hockey days in years.

Then, while watching a 2026 FIFA World Cup match, I heard the announcer say two words: “own goal.”

An own goal — or OG — happens when a player accidentally scores for the opposing team. It’s one of the most frustrating moments in sports because a player trying to help their team ends up helping the other side instead.

Ironically, own goals have become one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament has already recorded 14 own goals, breaking the previous World Cup record of 12 set in 2018. The expanded field of 48 teams and an additional knockout round have created more opportunities for these unfortunate plays.

As soccer’s OG record continues to grow, another “OG” is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. And this one isn’t happening on the field.

Breaking Records
Cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness caused by the microscopic parasite, Cyclospora, is having a record-breaking year.

The illness can cause watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Unlike many foodborne illnesses, Cyclospora infections can linger for weeks, with symptoms that may come and go.

This summer, health officials have reported more than 5,000 confirmed cases in Michigan along with more than 2,000 cases in at least 33 other states – a record number of cases.

The CDC, the FDA, and state health officials have linked one of the multistate outbreaks to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states. Investigators continue to search for other sources contributing to this year’s surge in cases.

Not the First, Not the Last
Despite this year’s record-setting outbreak, Cyclospora is hardly new.

The parasite was first documented in humans in the late 1970s and
officially identified in 1994. Two years later, it gained national attention when contaminated raspberries from Guatemala sickened more than 1,000 people in the United States and Canada.

Since then, outbreaks have been linked to a variety of fresh produce, including raspberries, basil, salad mixes, cilantro, berries, lettuce, and snap peas. Most cases occur between May and August, although occasional outbreaks occur outside that period.

Symptoms usually don’t appear until one to two weeks after eating contaminated food, making it difficult to remember exactly what you ate. And unlike Salmonella or E. coli, Cyclospora doesn’t spread from person to person. The parasite must first mature in the environment before it becomes infectious, so contaminated food or water is almost always the source.

Avoiding an OG
In soccer, an own goal is an accident — but it’s one that may change the outcome of the game.

Foodborne outbreaks can have the same effect. The very foods we choose because they’re good for us — fresh berries, leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables — can become the source of illness when contamination occurs somewhere along the food supply chain.

Fortunately, unlike an own goal on the field, these are mistakes we can learn from. Every outbreak helps investigators identify weaknesses, improve food safety practices, and prevent future illnesses. For consumers, simple habits like washing fresh produce, following food recalls, and seeking medical care for persistent diarrhea can make a difference.

No one sets out to score an own goal. And no one expects a healthy meal to make them sick.

The goal is simple: make sure healthy choices stay healthy.

Happy reading,
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.