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:
Eurofins SF Analytical Laboratories, Inc. Animal Health Testing, a leader in laboratory testing services, is proud to announce the expansion of its testing capabilities in support of Eurofins DQCI, growing its portfolio to serve a wider range of industries. With a focus on chemistry, microbiology, and nutrient analyses, Eurofins Animal Health is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the significance of chlortetracycline in animal feed, Eurofins' analytical methods for its detection, and the pivotal role the company plays in safeguarding animal health and industry standards.
Check out part 1 of our on demand webinar on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in animal feed and livestock production. Original airdate May 2, 2024.
Stay informed on FDA recommendations for florfenicol use in aquaculture medicated feed. Explore our blog for the latest updates.
Get the latest insights on the Innovative FEED Act and its significance for animal feed ingredients. Read our blog for more information.
This is an on-demand webinar on the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act of 2023. Discover how this revolutionary regulatory pathway distinguishes animal feed ingredients as additives, not drugs, promoting innovation, safety, and improved nutrition. Original airdate April 2, 2024.
Read this press release about the new rapid, accurate Chlortetracycline concentration testing methodology at Eurofins Animal Heath Testing for Type B and C Medicated Feeds.
Developing a new animal veterinary product is a complex, time-consuming process. What should you expect from the development process? What does the typical timeline look like? Get the answers to these questions and more in Part 2 of our Ask an Expert series on developing new veterinary products.
Developing a new animal veterinary product is a complex, time-consuming process. What should be your key considerations? What about guidelines and regulatory bodies? Get the answers to these questions and more in Part 1 of our Ask an Expert series on developing new veterinary products.
Do you work with animal veterinary products? Join Kari Nichols and Leo Schilling as they help you navigate the process for animal veterinary product development. Original airdate March 29, 2023.
