This document specifies methods for the enumeration of thermoresistant spores of thermophilic bacteria in heat-processed milk and dried milk products by using a colony-count technique at 55 °C after heating the sample at 106 °C or 100 °C.

The applicability of this document is limited to heat-processed milk including pasteurized, ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed and sterilized milk; as well as dried whole milk, skim milk, buttermilk and whey products.