Abstract: A process for sterilizing a container holding a fluid diet, the container having a long and slender mouth and being filled with the fluid diet and sealed; the process includes the steps of filling the container with the fluid diet in a heated state, sealing the container at the mouth thereof, and thereafter turning the container with its mouth side down to immerse only the mouth and the vicinity thereof in a hot-water bath for a period of time sufficient to achieve sterilization. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a bucket conveyor, a feed conveyor, a bucket and a bath. The process and apparatus can well sterilize containers holding a fluid diet and having a long and slender mouth. The process and apparatus can well sterilize containers holding a fluid diet and having a long and slender mouth.