J. David Legan

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:

Product Packaging Considerations and What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Are you a food safety, quality, design, packaging production, or risk mitigation professional? Learn the top reasons for packaged food, beverage, and ingredient failures—and what to do when faced with a crisis scenario.

Keywords: Webinar Special Investigations Food Beverages

Off-flavor and Odor Investigations White Paper

This white paper explores off-flavor and odor investigations performed by Eurofins SFA. Authored by Eurofins' scientist Jamie Willems Ph.D.

Keywords: Scientific Research Special Investigations Food Beverages Off-Flavor Off-Odor Jwillems

It’s the Little Things that Count: Quantifying & Characterizing Microplastics in Bottled, Drinking, & Source Waters

The suspected toxicity risks of microplastics as contaminants in drinking water sources have been known for years. However, public concerns recently thrust microplastics to the forefront of the health and safety conversation. In our webinar, Dr. Mike Dziewatkoski of Eurofins SF Analytical covers the current status of microplastics testing.

Keywords: Webinar Special Investigations Food Beverages Foreign Material ID

SFA Special Investigations: Chinese Food Gone Bad

This Eurofins SFA case study highlights their investigative capabilities and work with legal and insurance claims. Here they take you on a guided case study, where they investigate an allergen claim originating in a restaurant.

Keywords: Case Study Special Investigations Food

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Identifying Foreign Materials in Raw Materials & Finished Products

Whether it’s a finished food item or a component of pharmaceuticals, identifying suspect batches of any product is an important part of the quality control process. In this webinar, Michael Dziewatkoski of Eurofins gives you the inside look into analysis of foreign materials along with actual case studies.

Keywords: Webinar Special Investigations Food Beverage Ingredients Foreign Materials

SFA Special Investigations: Dog Treats vs. White Residue

Eurofins SFA or Eurofins SF Analytical offers a wide range of food testing services. This case study highlights their Special Projects and Investigative capabilities as they take you on a guided case study, where they investigate a mysterious white residue on dog treats. Follow them every step of the way to learn how they solved this mystery!

Keywords: Case Study Special Investigations Pet

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