Researchers: Oma Jaikaran, Adam Quintal, Samantha Rampersad, Priya Jahgoo, Patrice Williams 

Research was conducted to gather information on cottage industries’ existence in Trinidad and Tobago and to determine whether or not the operators were aware of food shelf life dating and its importance in their products. The operators were also asked whether or not their businesses understood and utilised food shelf life extension methods.

Based on the analysis of the collected results, the majority of responses (ᴝ 93%) illustrated that individuals recognised the importance of a product’s shelf life as customers of cottage industries throughout Trinidad and Tobago.  Though significantly less participants were aware of methods currently used to extend the shelf life of products, those responses still accounted for an average 66% of the surveyed population, suggesting that of the data collected, there was a good distribution of educated responses which provided a good balance for data analysis and a comparison of results across varying perceptions of the relevance of shelf life extension. Also, because of the fact that 50% of responses came from persons operating cottage industries, the information obtained served as a good representation of their perception of shelf life and shelf life extension as well as providing data for a comparison of the opinions of persons within the industry and persons that support the industry through purchase and use of its products.

The perceived understanding and utilisation of shelf life extension, (which revealed that 55% of survey respondents believed that cottage industries utilised shelf life extension methods while only 45% believed that these methods were understood), it can be said that based collated data from the survey, it is generally accepted that the local cottage industries may use some shelf life extensions methods within their operations. However, while the importance of maintaining shelf life is understood, the general conclusion indicates understanding of the shelf life extension methods was lacking which would suggest that the consequences would be reflected in both loss of product and the subsequent economic fallout.

PICTURE 1.1: COTTAGE INDUSTRY MANUFACTURER SHIRLEY’S EXOTIC MIXED NUTS & FRUITS 

PICTURE 1.2: COTTAGE INDUSTRY MANUFACTURE OF ANISEED ESSENCE

PICTURE 1.3: COTTAGE INDUSTRY MANUFACTURE OF SOLOZANO'S FARM FRESH CHICKEN