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:
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has found that lutein and zeaxanthin may be better alternatives to beta-carotene for supporting those inflicted with Age-Related Eye Disease (AREDS). This additional information may mean more lutein and zeaxanthin supplements on the market and more testing needed to verify suppliers.
Eurofins SFA is excited to now offer a new FD&C Dye Screen. The FDA approved nine artificial dye molecules for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics (with some limitations), in addition to a variety of naturally sourced colorants.
Eurofins SFA is excited to offer a new IgG protein analysis that provides improved sensitivity, better accuracy, and faster turnaround time relative to ELISA or alternative techniques offered. The analysis is performed according to AOAC 2010.01.
Eurofins is proud to announce that our method for determining potency in hemp has been approved and validated by the AOAC.
Eurofins DQCI Announces Partnership with Southeast Milk, Inc. (SMI) to Assume Operational Responsibility of Belleview, Florida Site. Read more about this partnership in this press release.
Eurofins Craft Technologies Offers Vitamin K-1 & K-2 Testing to Support Trending Immunity Foods & Supplements.
Eurofins now offers validated methods for chondroitin testing on sports nutrition and joint health supplements.
For ethanol and IPA-based hand sanitizers to be effective as disinfecting agents, they must contain at least 60% ethanol or 70% IPA by volume. Eurofins SF Analytical is pleased to offer two new test offerings to meet client demand for alcohol content in disinfecting products, including hand sanitizer.
Eurofins breaks ground on new facility in Madison, WI. The new lab is scheduled to open in February 2021.
Eurofins Scientific (EUFI.PA), a global scientific leader in bioanalytical testing, announces the successful closing of the transaction to acquire Covance Food Solutions from LabCorp (LH: NYSE), a leading global life sciences company. Covance Food Solutions provides product integrity, food safety, product development and consulting solutions for end-use segments that span the life cycle of food, beverage and dietary supplement products.
