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:
Discover why CFIA mandates 1500g lettuce testing for romaine imports from U.S. regions, how larger sample sizes improve detection of E. coli O157:H7, and the differences between pooling subsamples and direct 1500g testing methods. Learn key compliance, validation, and risk management considerations for growers, shippers, and buyers to ensure food safety and maintain market access.
The demand for speed in food production and distribution continues to increase, driven by consumer expectations for freshness, short product shelf lives, and regulatory compliance requirements. In this environment, rapid pathogen detection methods have become essential tools for timely decision-making and effective food safety management. This webinar will provide a technical overview of commercially available rapid methods for detecting key foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, Listeria spp., and L. monocytogenes. Originally Recorded on August 20, 2025.
Ensure compliance and product safety with Eurofins' USP Microbiology Services. Learn how USP Testing and Suitability Testing help validate methods for dietary supplements, probiotics, and botanicals while avoiding false negatives and regulatory pitfalls.
Eurofins Microbiology Laboratory (EML) New England adds Alicyclobacillus spp. testing to its ISO 17025:2017 scope of biological services. This is an expansion to their existing scope that includes routine pathogen and indicator organism testing for food, food products, beverages, environmental samples, and pet food.
Learn how data-driven E. coli testing improves process control and food safety in beef plants. Explore sampling strategies, harvest monitoring, and microbial analytics to reduce contamination risks and enhance regulatory compliance.
Low water activity foods (LWAFs) have historically been considered low-risk for microbiological hazards because their limited “free” (unbound) water in the formulation prevents bacterial growth. However, foodborne illness outbreaks revealed that pathogens can survive for extended periods in LWAFs, even in the absence of growth. Watch now to learn what is required to validate control measures to reduce microbial risks in LWAFs. Originally Aired on June 18, 2025.
Are microbial stability challenges affecting the formulation or shelf life of your nutritional bar or natural product? Food safety is essential in product development, ensuring consumers enjoy innovative flavors with confidence. Join Dr. Malcond Valladares and Ed Collins in this webinar as they explore food safety concerns specific to nutritional bars natural products and share formulation strategies to enhance microbial stability. Originally Recorded on June 19, 2025
The Eurofins team of process authorities routinely provides expert guidance to food manufacturers to prepare microbiologically safe products. In this service, we encounter many questions that span across a variety of food products and manufacturing processes. Here we list and will continue to compile the most common questions and answers asked of a process authority and the responses. Use this information as a guide in your scheduled process or as you work through the formulation and development of your new food product. You may also use this as a tool to submit your own questions for a process authority!
When it comes to food safety and regulatory compliance, acidified foods stand out as a unique category that demands careful attention. These shelf-stable products, ranging from pickled vegetables to tangy condiments, rely on precise pH control and proper processing to ensure they remain safe and stable for consumers. In this webinar, we’ll simplify the complexities of acid and acidified foods, breaking down key factors regarding microbiological safety, stability, and regulatory compliance.
Join experts from two leading Eurofins labs in this in-depth webinar as they break down the latest preservative testing methodologies, covering both natural and synthetic preservatives.
