This GSO standard specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration of micro-organisms, by counting the colonies growing in a solid medium after aerobic incubation at 30oC .This Gulf standard is applicable to products intended for human consumption or the feeding of animals. The applicability of this Gulf standard to the examination of certain fermented food and animal feeding stuffs is limited. For the examination of fermented food and animal feeding stuffs, other media and/ or incubation conditions might be more appropriate.