ISO 21527-2:2008 specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration of viable osmophilic yeasts and xerophilic moulds in products intended for human consumption or feeding of animals, having a water activity less than or equal to 0,95 (dry fruits, cakes, jams, dried meat, salted fish, grains, cereals and cereals products, flours, nuts, spices and condiments, etc.), by means of the colony count technique at (25 ± 1) °C.

ISO 21527-2:2008 does not apply to dehydrated products with water activity less than or equal to 0,60 (dehydrated cereals, oleaginous, spices, leguminous plants, seeds, powders for instant drinks, dry products for domestic animals, etc.) and does not allow the enumeration of mould spores. Neither the identification of fungal flora nor the examination of foods for mycotoxins lie within the scope of ISO 21527-2:2008. The method specified in ISO 21527-2:2008 is not suitable for enumeration of halophilic xerophilic fungi (i.e. Polypaecilum pisce, Basipetospora halophila) found in dried fish.