The Grocery Store Produce Red Flag You Need To Know

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The Grocery Store Produce Red Flag You Need To Know By Bobby Lewis Aug. 2, 2025 11:39 am EST

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A produce department should be a gateway to a nice grocery shopping experience, with loads of fresh fruit and vegetables welcoming you into the store. However, there are some red flags to look out for, including a big one that may be obvious but can have far-reaching implications.

Be wary of any foul, rancid, or otherwise "off" odors in your grocery store's produce department. Fresh vegetables typically have a mild but pleasant smell. Alliums (bulb-shaped vegetables like onions and garlic) should have no smell at all because their unmistakable fragrance is a sign of cell walls breaking down. In the case of uncut alliums at the supermarke