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:
Watch this webinar for a discussion on the background behind AAFCO’s recommended method and other commonly used methods, with a focus on which dietary fiber component each method quantifies, and scenarios where it is appropriate to use an alternate method. Original Air Date: April 16, 2025
April 17, 2025 - The Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center in Des Moines, IA has successfully developed and implemented advanced methods specifically tailored for pet foods and pet supplements. Click to read about the new glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate method offerings.
In pets, as in humans, glucosamine (GlcN) has been used with chondroitin sulfate in nutraceuticals to support joint health and mobility. Historically, GlcN testing has been limited to pure materials and supplements. However, Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center has recently developed a method for testing GlcN in a wide variety of matrices. Click to learn more.
Pet owners might turn to nutraceuticals that may support relief in some Osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. One such nutraceutical is chondroitin sulfate. Explore new scientific developments happening at Eurofins in Des Moines, IA for quantifying chondroitin sulfate in complex matrices like pet food and treats.
Here we highlight the best practices in process validation that pet food manufacturers may use to scientifically demonstrate that a given process, or “kill step,” in the manufacture of pet food and pet food products can deliver the required microbial reductions to ensure the safety of their product.
As a manufacturer of specialty pet food or pet food products, how will Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) affect your business? In this blog, we help you decipher high-level changes coming with PFLM, including how to prepare for the updated guidelines.
In this blog, we help you decipher high-level changes coming with Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM), as well as how to be prepared for the updated guidelines for pet food products.
Navigating the testing options and regulatory requirements for pet foods and treats gets confusing, even for long standing companies. This infographic provides an overview of the key components of a testing plan for pet foods, including nutritional analysis, microbial testing, and product formulation.
Launching a pet food or pet treat company can be an exciting journey, but ensuring the safety, quality, and compliance of your products is crucial for success. Not sure where to start? There's where we can help.
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!
