(Mishnah): If one deposited produce with his friend, even if they are going to be lost (e.g. if they are rotting or mice are eating them), he may not touch them.

R. Shimon ben Gamliel: He should sell them in the presence of the Beis Din - as it is like he is returning a lost item.

(Gemara) - R. Abahu: (What would the Tana Kama respond to R. Shimon ben Gamliel?) If you say that even if they are going to be lost you should not touch them, the owner will know this and come and take care of them.

R. Aba bar Yaakov citing R. Yochanan/ R. Abahu citing R. Yochanan: The Halacha follows R. Shimon ben Gamliel.

This is like the case of R. Yochanan Chakukah who deposited a sack of chametz with R. Chiya Rabah. R. Chiya asked Rebbi what he should do (as the time of the burning of chametz on Erev Pesach was coming, after which the chametz would become prohibited). Rebbi told him to sell it through Beis Din at the time of the burning of the chametz.

A person once deposited a barrel of Kutach (a dairy chametz food) with R. Chiya bar Ashi. He asked Rav what to do with it and Rav told him to sell it through Beis Din at the time of the burning of the chametz.