These are used to inform consumers of the date by which the food should be eaten. Most foods will have a "Best Before" or "Best Before End" statement. This should be followed by a date or a signpost to the location of the date, e.g. "Best Before End - See Can End".

"Use By" dates are applied to foods that go off very quickly and may cause food poisoning. It is illegal to sell food after the "Use By" date marked on it. Food should not be eaten after the "Use By" date.

Where a food must be stored in a particular way to ensure that it keeps until the "Best Before" or "Use By" date, the label must include this information, e.g. "Keep refrigerated 0°C to 5°C", appearing with the "Use By" date on the label.