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:
We are pleased to present the attached method summary for multiresidue pesticide analysis. This method is in accordance with USP 561 and EP 2.8.13. Click to learn more about the pesticides covered with this method and their limits according to USP monographs.
Food fraud can result in serious public health consequences and damage to your brand's reputation. Learn about products at risk for food fraud and steps you can take to protect your company.
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has found that lutein and zeaxanthin may be better alternatives to beta-carotene for supporting those inflicted with Age-Related Eye Disease (AREDS). This additional information may mean more lutein and zeaxanthin supplements on the market and more testing needed to verify suppliers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) in 2022. This regulation mandates clear labeling for retail food products containing bioengineered (BE) or 'GMO' ingredients, giving consumers more insight into what they are eating. In this guide, we will explore what qualifies as a bioengineered food, which products are subject to labeling, and how businesses can comply with the regulations outlined in NBFDS.
What are the labeling standards for gluten-free foods? Gain insights on the FDA's definition of gluten-free products and foods and how to meet voluntary labeling standards.
As exponential growth of plant-based foods continues, so does research and innovation with plant proteins. But what is the difference between proteins from plants versus animal sources? What challenges do scientists need to overcome? Learn more in the article!
Carotenoids (like beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and astaxanthin) are of great interest in the food, animal feed, and dietary supplement industries for a variety of reasons. However, due to many factors, their stability in product formulations can be challenging. Find out more!
When developing a new food ingredient or product does it mean to be FDA-compliant? Food grade vs. food-safe, what's the difference? And how is a product generally recognized as safe? Learn more about these FDA terms and if they apply to you.
Learn about the basic concepts of food engineering and how it contributes to the field of food science.
What tools do you have in place to prevent cross-contact of allergens in your facility? Check out our helpful and comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing a successful food allergen environmental monitoring plan.
