J. David Legan, PhD
Director of Science
David earned his Ph.D. in Food Technology from the University of Reading in the UK by modeling the ecology of mixed microbial populations, and then moved to Campden BRI in a variety of microbiological food safety research and client service roles. During that time, he was project lead for the Bacillus component of the UK’s pathogen modeling program. He moved again to Nabisco Research in New Jersey where he ran the corporate microbiology lab and developed a program of preservation technology development and microbial modeling. After the Kraft Foods acquisition, he moved to Chicago to work on Food Safety and Preservation research, and through modeling and validation studies:
- Optimized Oscar Mayer’s use of lactate and diacetate and their naturally cultured alternatives as Listeria-control agents in Ready to Eat meats
- Specified process conditions central to Oscar Mayer’s commercial launch of High Pressure Pasteurization of naturally cured RTE meats
David had responsibility for the Kraft cultures R&D group, developed a partnership to explore microwave sterilization leading to several patents, and led a program that developed an internal proprietary natural antimicrobial commercialized in several Kraft products. Technologies from his group supported approximately $4 billion in annual sales.
After years as a microbiology "client", he is now back in the "provider" role as Director of Science at Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories, Inc., by way of the Covance Food Solutions group based in Madison, WI, which he joined in 2016. In this role, he ensures appropriate method validation, explores new testing technologies, and fields multiple complicated food microbiology questions.
Products that his team has evaluated or developed and launched include:
- The 3M MDS platform in the Madison microbiology laboratory
- Flow cytometry for enumeration of probiotics
- Strain-level confirmation of probiotic identification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Next-generation sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies GridION sequencing platform for microbial identification and microbiome analysis
Below are resources from David:
High-value edible oils like olive oil and avocado oil command premium prices for their flavor and health benefits. However, their value also makes them targets for degradation and food fraud. Read our blog about two complimentary testing approaches essential to protecting your customers and brand: quality testing and authenticity testing.
Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) have recently proposed and/or finalized several regulations pertaining to the labeling of food & beverages. Read our blog for a straight-forward explanation of the latest updates.
Explore the food safety concerns surrounding Bisphenol A (BPA) in packaging, its potential health risks, and emerging alternatives like BPAF, BP, BPF, and BPS.
Discover how The National Food Lab, Eurofins Product Development Center of Excellence, helped an entrepreneur turn an idea into a successful wellness brand, developing and commercializing functional herbal teas in just 10 months.
With rising demand for A2-type dairy, precise A1/A2 testing is essential. Eurofins' advanced LCMS technology ensures product integrity and consumer confidence in a transparent food supply chain. Learn about the structure of A1/A2 and the importance of testing.
Discover how we helped a client reformulate their restaurant-crafted simmer sauces for retail success—reducing sodium from 2,000 mg to 200 mg per serving while preserving the bold, authentic flavors that made them a customer favorite.
Discover how to reduce sodium without sacrificing taste or functionality in food and beverage products. This white paper explores formulation strategies, technical insights, and best practices for achieving sodium reduction while maintaining consumer appeal.
Join us for an informative session focused on understanding and solving common food packaging failures. Whether you're dealing with leaking, corrosion, or unexpected damage during distribution, identifying the root cause is essential to maintaining product quality, safety, and brand trust. Originally Aired on May 14, 2025
Bringing food and beverage ideas to market takes more than creativity—it demands technical expertise, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. This roadmap infographic highlights the seven stages from idea to product launch.
California Bill 899 aims to safeguard public health by strengthening regulations around product safety. Its potential impact on baby food testing is particularly critical, as it addresses the need for heightened scrutiny in this vital industry. Check out our infographic to learn about the new requirements and why they matter.
