Strawberries stink (literally)

I sure have. It's so bizarre. I also notice it when I have thrown the box, leaves, and hulls into the garbage -- the garbage stinks! I have no idea what it could be. I've just thought it was tiny particles of the strawberry rotting off, but like you said, the strawberries seem overall fine.

I've never looked into this, but are strawberries picked green and artificially ripened with a gas (CO or CO2 - I forget) like most tomatoes?

I've never had this issue. I always pick up the box and smell at the bottom near the vent holes to make sure that they smell good before purchasing - if they don't smell nice, they don't seem to have much of a flavor for me either.

I have never run into this problem with strawberries in plastic containers. But if I did and they were cheap enough I would trash them. If expensive, return them to the store for a refund and let them figure it out. I don't care if the raw sewerage smell went away after awhile or not. Just the ick factor. oooff.

Edit: But that's not what you were asking was it:-)

Unless they are picked well-ripened, I think strawberries have an unpleasant smell akin to watermelon rind, or cantalope, which MIGHT be the same odor you describe.
Fortunately none of these smell the way they taste. I have never smelled, or sampled, durian. It is notorious for smelling like vomit, which could be similar scent components as melon and strawberries. Whatever it is, it's NOT a reflection of spoilage or unfitness for eating.

Could it be the clam shell container? Sometimes that plastic can smell a bit funky.

I had the same thing happen to me. I bought 3 large containers of organic strawberries at Costco. I put them in the refrigerator and the nextime day they began to stink really bad. I thought I had some bad ones in the bunch. I went through all the berries a washed them and didn't find a single rotten one. The all were pretty and ripe and firm and tasted great! My jam looks and tastes great too. I don't understand what the odor was either?

Here too! Yes, with Costco raspberries from Driscoll's of Watsonville, CA after being put in the fridge overnight, a strong, bad "gassy" smell appeared. Ewek! It didn't appear until after refrigeration. I wonder if it's related to the white pad at the bottom, maybe something was sprayed on it? The berries are beautiful, taste ok and are not moldly but the bad smell worries me too. What's up Costco and Driscoll Berries? What did they do or spray on the berries???

I have noticed this from fruit at Costco. I love Costco and shop there all the time. This time its my blackberries. I washed them, they look great and taste great. However the smell is stinky so Ive decided not to eat them. I decided to google causes and found this forum.

Absolutely agree i just bought some strawberry they look fine big red and taste like sh#t
but i wont take that sitting don i amm bringing them back , today it is a trick to pass off quality produce get home only to be disappointed they know you probably will not return them guess what i am first thing in the morning

I have noticed this too. My family and I have recently been getting our fresh produce from a new store Fresh Thyme. Everything has been wonderful, except however I have noticed that the strawberries have a “fishy” smell. The look fine, taste fine, and I have never gotten sick from them. However, the smell has recently become a bit of a turn off for me because who wants to smell nasty fish while they eat? I’ve noticed that the smell even transfers to my hands and the bowls that I put the fruit into.

Strawberries, no matter where bought, always smell this way to me when put into a container, covered for a while and then uncovered. I just assumed this was a fact of life.