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:
As the global leader in food testing, Eurofins has a few tips as you prepare your sample for submission to our laboratories. These tools will inform you how to expedite the testing process, ensure sample integrity and keep your samples on track. Connect with us today to get started!
After collecting your samples making sure that they arrive at the laboratory at the correct temperature is the main priority. This guide walks through FIVE key steps for you to follow.
Probiotic enumeration is one of the most important tests for a probiotic product. This infographic lists the top seven things to know enumeration testing before getting started with our team!
Botanical supplement contamination can be dangerous, and preventing contamination starts with understanding its sources. This infographic explains different sources of contamination in a botanical supplement's life cycle - from growing in the soil to packaging and storage.
Chemical and microbial exposure are the most common types of contamination during food processing. Understanding the sources of each type of contamination helps to effectively prevent problems before they arise. This infographic below explains various contamination sources in food, feed, and botanical products. These include residual solvents, storage issues, improper handling, and more.
When a product doesn't taste or smell right, it is a good indicator of contamination or packaging and processing issues. GCMS analysis is reliable method for finding the cause of off-odor or flavor and getting your products back to normal! This infographic provides an overview and a case study of how GCMS is used for off-odor and flavor analysis.
This method tests for all of the specific illegal adulterants that Amazon requires of its sellers of Sports Nutrition (Body Building) supplements.
Eurofins has a unique approach to A2 beta-casein testing. Our assay and LC-MS/MS testing options can be used on raw milk, milk batches, and finished products. View this infographic to learn more about A2 testing at Eurofins DQCI!
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.
Where do you start when you're looking for a laboratory to for your testing needs? Check out our checklist of steps to choosing the right lab partner for your company.
