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:
Food fraud is a widespread and worldwide problem. Watch this video to learn more about which products are most frequently impacted, and how it can impact your business.
Natural and synthetic food dyes are used in almost all industries. Understanding the potential for dye adulteration is critical to knowing how and why products are affected. Furthermore, testing with a third-party lab can lead to standardized product coloration and reliable ingredient claims. This White Paper introduces the types of food dyes, the benefits of testing, types of tests, and considerations for choosing a third-party lab.
During this webinar, Dr. Katerina Mastovska and Dr. Lukas Vaclavik will discuss the importance of third-party testing to ensure your products are safe, compliant with applicable regulations, and trustworthy for consumers! Chemical safety and authenticity of dietary supplements and ingredients used in their production are of paramount importance when it comes to the protection of consumers’ health and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Reliable testing performed by a qualified and experienced laboratory that covers all relevant residues and contaminant groups plays a key role in ensuring the above. Original airdate September 13, 2022.
This method tests for all of the specific illegal adulterants that Amazon requires of its sellers of Sports Nutrition (Body Building) supplements.
This article outlines what ISO 17025:2017 is, and why it is important to choose an accredited lab for testing. An FAQ section details the process and technicalities of ISO accreditations and emphasizes the role of accreditations in providing reliable results.
We are pleased to present the attached method summary for multiresidue pesticide analysis. This method is in accordance with USP 561 and EP 2.8.13. Click to learn more about the pesticides covered with this method and their limits according to USP monographs.
August 5, 2022, Eurofins Craft Technologies’ newly validated phenolic method will initially offer 16 analytes and will continue to expand based on market demands. The new offering covers the following hydroxybenzoic, cinnamic, and hydroxycinnamic acids. Read the full press release to learn more.
Arsenic is naturally occurring all around us, but that doesn't mean it's always safe to consume. Consumers are looking to companies to test their products, know their levels, and keep them safe. Learn more about the different forms of arsenic and relative risk for presence in products.
Some minerals are found to interfere with vitamin K2 shelf-life stability in nutraceuticals. Watch our video case study to learn how Eurofins Craft Technologies assists clients experiencing formulation challenges.
Food fraud can result in serious public health consequences and damage to your brand's reputation. Learn about products at risk for food fraud and steps you can take to protect your company.
