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:
This webinar from our Best-in-Class series, compiled and presented by Eurofins Advanced Learning Institute lead instructor Mike Cramer, provides an introductory lesson on Foreign Material Prevention as it applies to food processing operations. Originally Aired on May 6, 2026
Consumers rely on sunscreen to provide dependable protection against UV radiation, one of the leading causes of skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Because of this, sunscreen manufacturers face a unique responsibility: to ensure every product consistently delivers the level of protection stated on the label. Read more to why sunscreen testing matters.
The production and distribution of foods, beverages, nutraceuticals, and related products can offer a wide variety of unique challenges at every stage of development and release, including off-odors and off-flavors, discolorations, and the presence of foreign materials. This webinar covers various analytical strategies for troubleshooting these challenging problems. Originally Aired on January 21, 2026.
Supplement and OTC products often require non-traditional testing approaches such as radiolabel studies or DEA Schedule I compound analysis. Knowing when and how to apply these specialized methods is key to regulatory success.
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
In this webinar, we cover our approach to custom method development with a focus on chromatographic techniques, such as GC-FID, GC-MS(MS), HPLC, UPLC, and HPLC-MS(MS). From the initial steps of deciding on an approach, to actual lab development and method validation for routine or regulatory use will be explained using actual case studies and examples. Originally Recorded on August 12, 2025
Homeopathic formulations can be complex and challenging to test. A client approached Eurofins Supplement & OTC Testing in Madison, WI needing specialized testing of homeopathic tinctures. Read our case study to learn how the client was able to confidently release their product while maintaining compliance and efficiency.
There are many ways to sell and distribute authorized food packaging materials on the US market. One pathway for introducing new food contact substances to the U.S. market is by submitting a Food Contact Notification (FCN) to the FDA for premarket approval. Watch our webinar exploring the FDA’s authorization process for new food contact substances, focusing on migration testing and safety evaluation. Originally Aired on June 4, 2025
Join us for an informative session focused on understanding and solving common food packaging failures. Whether you're dealing with leaking, corrosion, or unexpected damage during distribution, identifying the root cause is essential to maintaining product quality, safety, and brand trust. Originally Aired on May 14, 2025
Analytical chemistry and materials science play pivotal roles in the solution of complex issues over a wide array of sectors ranging from accident investigations to contaminated food products. Only with reliable and timely data can investigators begin to elucidate what occurred and why. Typically, this involves close collaboration between a client and the scientists who will translate the client’s goals into actionable test plans that will ultimately generate the information necessary to understand the root cause of an issue. Watch this webinar for an explanation and examples of this collaborative process with case studies.
