The present disclosure relates to methods of maintaining sterility of an aseptic work zone of a blow-fill seal operation so that low acid foods may be aseptically processed and packaged. The methods of the present disclosure further provide for maintain the sterility of the aseptic work zone such that the aseptic work zone does not have to be enclosed in a separate sterile environment during the blow fill seal process. The methods of the present disclosure further provide a sterilization procedure that is compliant with FDA regulations related to the aseptic packaging of low acid food products. Further disclosed, are methods for producing a hermetically sealed container containing a low acid food product.