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:
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.
With the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, the food and supplement industries are facing a pivotal moment. Join two of our leading experts as they unpack the report’s findings and explore what they could mean for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies. From reformulation strategies to enhanced ingredient scrutiny, this session will help industry professionals prepare for a wave of potential changes. Originally Recorded on August 21, 2025
At Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center, we highlight the critical role of texture analysis in pet food quality. This video explains how texture analysis quantifies product consistency and provides valuable insights into performance across the supply chain from R&D to addressing customer complaints.
In an industry rooted in nature but constantly evolving with science, botanical supplements are experiencing a quiet revolution. Innovation isn't just about discovering exotic new plants—it's about precision, purpose, and progress at every step of product development. Check out our infographic on your botanical product's steps, from seed to shelf.
Explore the fast-evolving world of functional beverages with insights on formulation trends, innovation challenges, and scale-up strategies from The National Food Lab.
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
Bringing a new food or beverage product to life takes more than a good idea—it takes execution. And for early-stage brands, that executional gap between your kitchen and your consumer can feel massive. The problem isn’t passion or creativity. It’s infrastructure. Enter: The Pilot Plant.
You’ve launched before. You know the drill. But in today’s landscape—where trends evolve fast and pressure to innovate is nonstop—even the best R&D teams need an edge. Enter: the pilot plant. It’s your sandbox for rapid iteration, precise testing, and format exploration—without tying up commercial line time or internal resources.
You believe in your ingredient. You’ve seen the research, tested the science, and refined the story. But for buyers, belief isn’t enough—it needs to be experienced. That’s where a pilot plant makes all the difference. Read our blog to learn about the value of a pilot plant for ingredient suppliers.
Explore how The National Food Lab, Eurofins’ Product Development Center of Excellence, helped a start-up successfully launch a new Greek yogurt product line—blending innovation with tradition to meet evolving consumer demands.
