Hot filling
German: Heißabfüllung Also known as: Heissabfüllung, Hot Fill
Filling a drink into the bottle at high temperature and sealing it immediately, so that it stays low in germs.
In hot filling the drink is heated to about 85 to 95 degrees Celsius and filled while still hot into clean bottles, which are sealed immediately. The heat kills germs in the drink and also sterilises the inside of bottle and closure when the bottle is briefly tilted.
The method is often used for fruit juices, nectars, iced teas and syrups. It is comparatively simple but requires heat-resistant packaging. Heating can affect delicate aromas and vitamins, which is why alternative methods are preferred for some products.
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