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 and effectively formulating lipids has become essential for today’s product developers. Whether replacing synthetic preservatives, selecting alternative oils, delivering specific health benefits, or exploring novel lipid technologies, each decision has impacts. Learn how Eurofins testing can help.
As consumer demand for women-focused health solutions accelerates, successful product development requires more than trend alignment, it demands clinically grounded, format-ready ingredient strategies. Learn more about the insights of developing functional food, beverage, and supplements products that address key women’s health needs.
Innovation in the nutraceutical and functional food space is accelerating, but commercialization is struggling to keep pace. The conversation is shifting from “What can we formulate?” to a much harder question:
“What will actually work in a factory, at scale, for 12+ months?” Here are the biggest takeaways from Vitafoods Europe 2026.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a growing focus for regulators, manufacturers, and consumers alike especially when it comes to foods intended for vulnerable populations such as infants. Learn about the importance of proactive PFAS testing and how Eurofins can help here.
A dietary supplement manufacturer submitted a finished capsule product and associated raw materials for identity verification testing. The materials were labeled and supplied as Astragalus membranaceus root. Learn how our Eurofins team assisted with this request.
What makes Eurofins’ Supplement Testing Vitamin D analysis different from standard testing methods? Learn the answer to this question and more in our infographic about Vitamin D Analysis by Mass Spectrometry.
Eurofins Supplement Testing and the Eurofins Assurance network are pleased to announce that their Certified Dietary Supplement and Clean Sport Certified programs are now incorporated into SuppCo’s TrustScore® supplement quality rating system. This integration strengthens Eurofins Supplement Testing and Eurofins Assurance’s role in third party supplement verification and enhances TrustScore® as a comprehensive benchmark, giving brands greater visibility in a market where trust and transparency matter more than ever.
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is rolling out important updates to General Chapters <2021> and <2022> and, taking effect on April 1, 2026. For manufacturers who rely on microbiological testing to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance, understanding what’s changing and what actions are required is essential.
Important upcoming updates to USP Chapters <2021> and <2022 went into effect on April 1, 2026. These changes modify several microbiological testing requirements, including incubation times, suitability testing, and enrichment steps for specific organisms. Check out our answers to frequently asked questions about the updates.
With innovation comes complexity and with complexity comes risk. This is why laboratory testing isn’t just a box to check. For longevity products, it’s one of the most challenging and essential parts of responsible product development.
