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:
Read this article from the Wisconsin State Journal about how Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Madison is helping to reduce the infant formula shortage.
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.
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 Animal Health Testing is pleased to announce relocation of its 21 CFR part 225/226-compliant cGMP and 21 CFR Part 58-compliant GLP testing laboratory from its legacy facility at 671 S. Meridian Rd, Greenfield, Indiana to a new, state-of-the-art 11,000 square-foot laboratory at 9550 Zionsville Rd., Suite 9, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268.
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.
January 20, 2022, The Eurofins Microbiology Laboratory network is proud to offer a new approach to risk identification and management, Enteric Pathogen Risk Indicator (EPRI™) testing. This unique screening tool provides a rapid option to screen for Shiga toxigenic E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella in one PCR assay.
January 12, 2022: Eurofins Analytical Laboratories, Inc. New Orleans Announces New ETO and ECH Testing . We are excited to announce the addition of Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Chlorohydrin testing services to our extensive portfolio of services! Eurofins Analytical Laboratories, Inc. has recently validated and launched a new method for determination of Ethylene Oxide (ETO) and Ethylene Chlorohydrin (ECH) in various food ingredients and finished products, with a reporting capability of as low as 10 parts-per-billion (ppb).
Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing (Madison, WI) is excited to announce it is the first testing laboratory certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to conduct hemp compliance testing for manufactured industrial hemp products for all seven of the CDPHE certification categories.
Eurofins is proud to announce that our method for determining potency in hemp has been approved and validated by the AOAC.
