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:
Explore why technical diligence is critical in food & beverage M&A. Learn how Eurofins helps private equity firms assess scalability, supply chain stability, and innovation pipelines to reduce risk and drive growth.
The FDA and USDA are seeking public input to define ultra-processed foods (UPFs), aiming to shape future labeling, regulation, and consumer awareness. Learn how this RFI could impact food policy and public health.
With the overall market movement towards "better for you" foods, many companies have already started adding new or reformulated products to their portfolios. Click to read our blog about the market action being taken and strategies companies have deployed to appeal to the Make America Healthy Again movement.
Discover how Eurofins Product Development & Innovation helps private equity firms turn promising food & beverage startups into scalable, profitable brands through technical expertise, consumer insight, and product development rigor.
Discover expert insights into navigating Out-of-Specification (OOS) results and CAPA investigations. Learn key steps and strategies our technical team uses to resolve unexpected analytical outcomes effectively.
Explore a real-world OOS case study where collaborative investigation revealed formulation challenges as the root cause. Learn how targeted troubleshooting helped a client improve product consistency and manufacturing protocols.
In this webinar, our experts will discuss the latest international regulations, the impact of recycled materials, and how proactive testing strategies can keep your packaging safe and compliant. Originally Recorded on September 17, 2025
Discover how a leading plant-based food company partnered with Eurofins DQCI to implement a precise calibration strategy, ensuring consistent and accurate protein testing across multiple production sites.
With growing scrutiny from lawmakers and public health advocates, the once-standard GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) process may be on the verge of a major overhaul. In this blog, we break down what GRAS really means, why the self-affirmed process has sparked concern, and how the proposed legislation could redefine the future of ingredient approval in the U.S. food system.
In May, the Trump Administration released the Make Our Children Healthy Again report—commonly referred to as the MAHA Report. As a new conversation unfolds, let Eurofins help you dive into its implications for the food industry through a series of weekly posts. While the report spans a broad range of topics, our lens will remain focused on the food, beverage, and consumer goods sectors—where we continue to support companies navigating change and driving innovation. Keep reading to find out more on MAHA Report.
