Abstract: An apparatus and process for sterilizing substances and particularly food products such as food spices and seasonings which are in a processed or unprocessed condition and are in a powdered, granular, flaky, leafy or similar conditions, the apparatus including means for subjecting the product while in a container such as a plastic or plastic-like bag, first to a subatmospheric condition and thereafter injecting a gaseous sterilant at a central location in the product whereby the sterilant diffuses outwardly through the product toward the walls of the container sterilizing the product in the process and gradually escaping through the container leaving the packaged product in a sealed closed and sterilized condition.