The method for pasteurisation and/or sterilisation of a food according to the invention comprises, in a first step, provision of a device (1) for the impingement of steam, particularly water vapour, on a food. The food is then impinged upon with steam for the pasteurisation and/or sterilisation of the food by means of the steam in order to achieve a reduction in the quantity of a microorganism present on and/or in the food, particularly a pathogenic microorganism. Before the food is impinged upon with steam, the temperature of the food is brought to a preheating temperature greater than or equal to the pasteurisation and/or sterilisation temperature.
