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:
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 as we explore key test methods designed to evaluate a protein ingredient’s application potential—its functionality fingerprint. This webinar showcases how these tests can drive product innovation and includes real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate how this approach has brought insights to life. Originally Aired on May 29, 2025
As the popularity of the natural mood-enhancing properties of sceletium alkaloids increases, the volume of products containing these compounds will increase, and therefore also the need for robust and selective methods for determining the concentration of alkaloids within these products. Watch our webinar about an innovative HPLC-DAD method for the determination of sceletium alkaloids in powders, capsule fills, and tablets. Originally Aired May 15, 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
As the global food industry continues to evolve, understanding and mitigating the risks associated with mycotoxins is more critical than ever. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of mycotoxins, exploring their sources, types, and the severe health and economic impacts they can have. We will discuss advanced detection methods and monitoring strategies that are essential for maintaining food safety standards. Originally Aired on May 6, 2025
Listen to our webinar covering general and specific methods for protein measurement, especially for protein claims in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. Dan Berg, Senior Analytical Services Manager for Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing, share how to use analytical data to establish and verify label claims, protein quality, % Daily Value from PDCAAS, and protein characterization. Originally Aired on April 30, 2025
Our "Behind the Science" series looks at food testing from the perspective of the testers and industry experts who devote their careers to it. In this episode, Eurofins Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Doug Marshall speaks with Senior Analytical Services Manager, Mollie Van Alst about "healthy" labeling claims. Originally recorded on April 23, 2025
Ensuring high-quality ingredients and finished botanical products requires a precise and reliable analytical method. This webinar introduces a fundamental approach to botanical analysis: High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), a powerful tool for maintaining accuracy and consistency in botanical raw materials and final formulations. Originally Aired on April 21, 2025
Watch this webinar for a discussion on the background behind AAFCO’s recommended method and other commonly used methods, with a focus on which dietary fiber component each method quantifies, and scenarios where it is appropriate to use an alternate method. Original Air Date: April 16, 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.
