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:
This webinar covers food safety product categories and the impact of ingredients required to improve microbial stability on product acceptance. Original airdate May 21, 2024.
This webinar focuses on the principles and theory of food spoilage, within the context of how these concepts can help you better understand what to do when things go wrong (spoil) and design a product in a way to prevent spoilage in the first place. Original airdate May 8, 2024.
Check out part 1 of our on demand webinar on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in animal feed and livestock production. Original airdate May 2, 2024.
In this on-demand webinar we'll provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to navigate Amazon's Dietary Supplements Policy. Original airdate April 24, 2024.
In this on-demand webinar discover the strategies to address chemical contamination in Clean in Place (CIP) processes effectively. Original airdate April 17, 2024.
In this webinar, Dr. Douglas Marshall, Chief Scientific Officer of Eurofins Microbiology, discusses the best practices to help resolve product and environmental contamination events with a focus on effective root cause analysis and deployment of corrective actions as well as consideration of successful long-term preventive actions. Original Air Date May 24, 2023
This is an on-demand webinar on the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act of 2023. Discover how this revolutionary regulatory pathway distinguishes animal feed ingredients as additives, not drugs, promoting innovation, safety, and improved nutrition. Original airdate April 2, 2024.
This webinar presentation covers a background review of how we have come to report results as “presumptive”, the current state of rapid and confirmation testing, and possible future direction. Original airdate December 7, 2023.
In this on-demand webinar, you will learn essentials of FDA Form 483 observations, compliance responsibilities, and the dietary supplement regulatory landscape. Original airdate November 16, 2023.
In this on-demand webinar, Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories has partnered with Rheonix to explore the challenges centering around recurring Listeria in an environment, and to offer real answers to your nagging Listeria questions and limited industry resources. Original airdate November 14, 2023.
