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Has anybody noticed that certain packaged fresh produce like lettuce, coleslaw has acquired almost overnight spoilage rates? I bought a package of coleslaw dated best before May 31 on May 18. I removed it from the package last night to place it in an open container in my crisper. I opened my refrigerator door this afternoon to be greeted by a smell reminiscent of rotting manure. Why is produce going bad so quickly now?

I have noticed that too. Lettuce doesn't last long at all

I don’t think it’s anything new. I have always found packaged/bagged salads and produce to go bad quicker. I also think they taste differently and have an odour

I think strawberries are the worst

Lettuce, coleslaw, celery it all seems go bad fast. Seems like you have to use it the same day you buy it.

I haven't really noticed. Although we tend to eat things really quick, so maybe that's it?  
 
But there's a few factors:  
 
1. Less than ideal storage: If you or anywhere in the supply chain have less-than-ideal temps for your fridges, etc, it will spoil faster.  
 
2. Distance: All our produce is coming a long, long way a good chunk of the year. That's going to impact how long it lasts by the time it reaches us. If it's already 1-2 weeks old (as it often is), it's not going to last another 2-3 weeks in the fridge, especially if coupled with point 1 above.

Those clear packages that you buy lettuce in are the worst. Bagged stuff is next, fresh lasts way longer. Strawberries can go quickly too. So much chemical on everything these days and likely been in a truck forever already too

I buy a head of lettuce (when you purchase, make sure the lettuce is heavy for it's size) When I get home, (before it gets buried somewhere in the fridge, I fill a sink with water and a bit of lemon juice...then separate all the leaves,wash them, then put them in a salad spinner...(takes a couple of times because you don't want to squeeze it all in at once) then I put paper towel around the lettuce and put it in a zip lock bag...It's is always ready , and you are likely to use it more if it is ready) it lasts at least a good week this way...

I don’t sell it so don’t message me LOL  
 
But Tupperware sells “fridge smarts” and I’ve found they do help keep the produce fresher longer!  
 
Also, inspect it closely at the store. This past weekend at sobeys it was almost impossible to find blueberries and raspberries without moldy ones in there already! I hate when I get home and find that. Bagged apples are bad for that too...get home and find a moldy one in the middle of the bag

A rinse in vinegar water helps to keep strawberries or blueberries from getting moldy as quickly .  
When you take the berries home from the store drop them into a bowl of cool water and 1 - 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Let them sit in the water for just a few minutes. Pull the leaves off the strawberries but leave the stem intact . Stand them on the stem end on a clean tea towel or paper towel to drip-dry. After the berries are dry put them into a non-airtight container (you can use the plastic tub that they come in) and keep them in the fridge.

I can’t wait for fresh garden produce that I can pick fresh daily that isn’t covered in who knows what chemical!

The coleslaw was labelled Best Before May 31 (next Friday) and was purchased May 18. When I opened the fridge door Tuesday afternoon (May 21) it had already gone rancid (10 days BEFORE the "best before" date)  
 
Edited by Alvin Hansen, 2019-05-23 17:11:11

Our garden is maybe 60-70 feet from our neighbors farmland. If you could see the amount of chemicals that he dumps on his crop it would shock you. I am sure being so close it drifts over onto my “organic” garden.

Given that some chemicals are so expensive that a half ton full will set the grower back in the hundreds of thousands, nobody wants to be spraying with a wind blowing. Not only does it endanger bordering crops, but economically doesn't make sense to have precious chemical drift from the target area. As much as non-growers resent farmers using chemicals, farming has become such a cash intensive proposition that NOT using chemicals is simply not feasible on the scale that farms operate on now.

I've had issues recently with bagged Apple's and oranges going bad quickly.  
 
When buying bagged salads, make sure your buying the bags with the least amount of 'air'. As the veggies age they give off gas, the older it is, the more gas would be in the bag.

Unfortunately we cannot section off our garden as it is on the border of our lot already. I am not worried. We use roundup and dandelion killer here as well as powder on our potato leaves if the bugs are bad. Still healthier than the store and last longer.  
 
As for farmers spraying on windy days- it happens and happens often. Most farmers have so much land and such a little amount of time so they don’t care - they just do what they gotta do. At least this year the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. Usually it’s always blowing at my house.  
 
Sorry OP we kinda got side tracked on your original post. Lol.

sometimes it is lack of chemicals is the problem.  
 
to stay fresh for a long time chemicals are used;  
 
because of consumer desires of no chemicals to keep foods fresh they aren't used any more so food doesn't stay fresh.  
 
as others have said check your produce you buy if any mould don't purchase as the spores will be everywhere in the package.  
 
check that the whole bag of apples or potatoes , etc. feel that they are firm  
 
cucumbers check the ends are they firm if soft don't purchase as they have already started going bad.  
 
even if mould not present wash and dry all fruit or vegetables when you get them.  
 
I heard only grapes are the ones that get sprayed with a chemical to keep them fresh.  
 
only buy what you need; don't overbuy even if on sale