Method and apparatus for the manufacture of a packaged product

Method for the manufacture of a packed product, comprising the steps of:

• bringing a product into a superheated steam atmosphere with an O2 content of maximum 10 vol.-%, a pressure of between 950 mbar and 1100 mbar and a temperature of at least 100° C.;
• making available a packing container in the superheated steam atmosphere and filling the packing container with a predetermined quantity of the product, wherein a residual volume of the packing container not filled with product is filled with the superheated steam atmosphere;
• replacing at least 50% of the residual volume of superheated steam atmosphere in the packing container by a sterile inert gas, wherein the inert gas is heated to a temperature of at least 60° C., 80° C., 100° C. or to the temperature of the superheated steam atmosphere;
• sealing the packing container;
• and
• cooling the packing container and the product contained therein.