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:
Explore how expanded STEC testing impacts risk management, regulatory readiness, and economics in the beef industry. Brian McFarlane breaks down why food safety decisions—especially around the Big 6 STECs—are both scientific and financial.
Explore the leading causes of childhood and adolescent obesity—from ultra-processed foods and excessive sugar to sedentary lifestyles, parental influence, mental health, and governmental policy—and learn evidence-based guidance to support healthier nutrition and habits for kids.
Explore how to comply with FSIS guidance for ready-to-eat fermented, salt-cured, and dried products with an effective validation study balancing scientific rigor, processing expertise, and craftsmanship. This article outlines how to achieve the right balance in your validation approach and how strong, data‑driven studies ultimately enhance the safety, consistency, and reliability of dried and fermented meat products.
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.
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) have released the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), signaling what many observers see as a notable shift in federal nutrition messaging. Read our overview on the new guidelines.
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.
In today’s supplement marketplace, contract manufacturers play a pivotal role. As retailer expectations evolve and third‑party verification becomes increasingly important, product certification is no longer just a valued add, it’s becoming a strategic advantage. Click to learn more about the benefits of product certifications.
Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool for rapid, nondestructive measurement. But despite its advantages, IR often develops a reputation for being unreliable or not accurate as primary methods. Keep reading to learn more about how to build and validate a reliable model.
Explore why “food safety culture” is often overcomplicated and how CEO leadership, clear expectations, and accountability truly drive food safety success.
