Evaluation of variation in spore count methods and determination of optimal parameters for standardization of milk powder spore testing

(1) ​Evaluate commonly employed sample preparation and spore count method parameters (media type, heat shock, plating method) to determine the best methods that will reduce variability in spore counts and can be used to develop and implement standardized spore count methods
(2) Assess inter-laboratory variability in spore counts based on a subset of variables selected from Objective 1.
(3) Evaluation of best methods by industry and commercial laboratories to verify practices and consistency of methods.