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:
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.
California’s SB 646 represents a major advancement in prenatal supplement safety. By mandating rigorous testing and transparent reporting of heavy metal levels, the state is setting a new benchmark for protecting pregnant individuals and their developing babies.
In today’s food and dietary supplement marketplace, trust is no longer assumed. Third-party testing and certification have become essential tools for demonstrating product safety, quality, and compliance in a credible way.
There has been a lot of talk about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) that have been recently published. Despite being promoted as a major departure, the updated guidelines mix a few foundational changes with many recurring themes from earlier publications.
For manufacturers and brand owners, dietary fiber is more than a buzzword, it’s a key driver of product positioning, consumer trust, and regulatory compliance. But not every ingredient marketed as “fiber” qualifies under FDA standards. Keep reading to learn more about why understanding fiber is so important.
Choosing safe, high-quality food and dietary supplement products has become increasingly complex. Product labels are filled with claims, ingredient lists can be difficult to interpret, and rumors about lack of regulatory oversight run rampant across social media and elsewhere. Third-party product certification is the answer.
