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:
Manufacturing microwave food or Ready-to-Heat (RTH) products have compelling benefits and challenges. Learn more about the chemistry of how microwave technology works, applications in the food industry, and how testing is an important piece when manufacturing or selling these products.
What is food chemistry and how it is important in the food industry? Learn more about the basics of this food science discipline and the main components that are studied and testing for food ingredient an product quality and safety.
High-Pressure Processing is a food processing technology that enables food safety while maintaining food quality. Learn how this high-pressure technology contributes to food science and testing to help support HPP processing and HPP food safety.
A strong relationship with a high-quality lab that you can trust is a major asset for meeting your company’s goals. Read our checklist for eight qualities of a good third-party testing laboratory.
What's the role of microbiology in the food industry? Learn how microorganisms can positively or negatively affect food production and storage. Partner with our ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for all your food safety microbiology testing needs.
What are the labeling standards for gluten-free foods? Gain insights on the FDA's definition of gluten-free products and foods and how to meet voluntary labeling standards.
As exponential growth of plant-based foods continues, so does research and innovation with plant proteins. But what is the difference between proteins from plants versus animal sources? What challenges do scientists need to overcome? Learn more in the article!
Learn more about global food security, why it is important, and how food science and technology play an important role in mitigating global food insecurity and reducing food waste.
Carotenoids (like beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and astaxanthin) are of great interest in the food, animal feed, and dietary supplement industries for a variety of reasons. However, due to many factors, their stability in product formulations can be challenging. Find out more!
When developing a new food ingredient or product does it mean to be FDA-compliant? Food grade vs. food-safe, what's the difference? And how is a product generally recognized as safe? Learn more about these FDA terms and if they apply to you.
