This may be part of it. Even now in Thailand "fresh" (I use that term very loosely) meat bought from a supermarket can have wildly different times before it has

This may be part of it. Even now in Thailand "fresh" (I use that term very loosely) meat bought from a supermarket can have wildly different times before it has an odour, and that's without considering the wet markets where everything is out in the open air relying on a block of ice to keep it "fresh".