J. David Legan

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:

Understanding Mycotoxins: Risks and Mitigation Strategies On-Demand Webinar

As the global food industry continues to evolve, understanding and mitigating the risks associated with mycotoxins is more critical than ever. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of mycotoxins, exploring their sources, types, and the severe health and economic impacts they can have. We will discuss advanced detection methods and monitoring strategies that are essential for maintaining food safety standards. Originally Aired on May 6, 2025

Keywords: Webinar Contaminants Grain Food Plant-Based

Understanding Protein Analysis for Label Claims and Characterization On-Demand Webinar

Listen to our webinar covering general and specific methods for protein measurement, especially for protein claims in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. Dan Berg, Senior Analytical Services Manager for Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing, share how to use analytical data to establish and verify label claims, protein quality, % Daily Value from PDCAAS, and protein characterization. Originally Aired on April 30, 2025

Keywords: Webinar Nutritional Food Beverage Supplements Plant-Based

Addressing Risks and Challenges in Plant-Based Cosmetics and Supplements

The botanical supplement and cosmetic industries are rapidly changing, and the increase in consumer demand calls for upscaling raw material sourcing. This means there is higher pressure for scientifically-valid contaminant testing, including screens for pesticides and heavy metals, while maintaining a fast turn-around time. Watch this webinar to learn modern approaches to contaminant detection, with an emphasis on market trends, broad dietary supplement applications, and OTC cosmetics.

Keywords: Webinar Contaminants Dietary Supplements Plant-Based Plant Based Cosmetics Botanicals OTC