This European Standard specifies a microbiological screening method for the detection of irradiation treatment of herbs and spices, using the combined direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT) and aerobic plate count (APC). The DEFT/APC technique is not radiation specific, therefore, it is recommended to confirm positive results using a standardised method (e.g. EN 1788, prEN 13751) to specifically prove an irradiation treatment of the suspected food. The method has been successfully tested in interlaboratory tests with herbs and spices [1] to [5].