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 part of an effort to promote public health, the FDA has proposed a rule to change the definition of “healthy” on food labels. Our infographic gives background on the proposed rule and a high-level view of the proposed criteria.
As a manufacturer of specialty pet food or pet food products, how will Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) affect your business? In this blog, we help you decipher high-level changes coming with PFLM, including how to prepare for the updated guidelines.
In this on-demand webinar, Mollie Van Alst provides a straight-forward explanation of the FDA's proposed changes to the definition of "healthy" on food labels. Original Air Date November 7, 2024.
Understand what an acidified food is, the regulations associated with acidified foods, and different sterilization techniques (thermal processing and cold-fill-hold) for various food products. This guide will help you to determine the classification of a food, and provide resources to aid in processing, FDA filing, and where to go to with further questions.
In this blog, we help you decipher high-level changes coming with Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM), as well as how to be prepared for the updated guidelines for pet food products.
In this on-demand webinar Doug Marshall and John Scanga explain the latest regulatory challenges in food safety and quality from the FDA and USDA with a focus on the new rules and regulations. Original airdate August 7, 2024.
In this on-demand webinar we'll provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to navigate Amazon's Dietary Supplements Policy. Original airdate April 24, 2024.
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.
With so many steps in dietary supplement production, the responsibilities for regulatory compliance quickly becomes complicated. This infographic provides an overview of responsibilities for each stage, including manufacturing, holding, packaging, and for brand owners.
