Rucola (Eruca sativa) was decontaminated and then reinoculated with selected microorganisms. The produce was then stored in three different atmospheres and at two temperatures. The accumulation of off-odours in the packaging headspace was analysed. A dozen compounds were detected by olfactometry but only dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide were considered to have a strong or moderate intensity. Thus, they were identified as the substances causing an unpleasant smell inside the bags. Inoculation with microorganisms resulted in higher production of off-odours. Samples inoculated with Pseudomonadaceae&Xanthamonadaceae were particularly potent in producing the two sulphides. The off-odour problem was much more prominent in samples that were kept in a packaging material that did not allow gas exchange resulting in oxygen levels below 1%. Higher levels of sulphides were detected at 8 °C than at 4 °C. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.