All samples were stored unopened at 8C until the end of declared shelf life. This means that ESL milk samples were stored for 17–26 days, HTST milk samples for 7–10 days. UHT milk was not tested. For microbiological testing five packs of each lot of milk were used. Total viable count (TVC) at 30C and 6.5C were determined by application of ISO 4833:2003, a pour plate method utilising plate-count skim milk agar. Enumeration of presumptive Enterobacteriaceae at 30C was performed according to ISO⁄DIS 21528-2, a pour plate method utilising violet red bile dextrose agar