A date printed on
foodstuffs, indicating how long the food will still be at its best. Although it may be
edible afterwards, the manufacturer makes no
warranty that this is the case. Some foods (mostly seen in
supermarkets have a
display until date - this one is just a guideline, and has nothing to do with the safety of the food - just that the store should not leave it on the shelf, as it's near to the
best before date.
If it's a
marketing conspiracy, it's a pretty
crap one, as most supermarkets heavily
discount food that's past the
display until date, and can't sell food past the
best before. Seeing as even their
own brand products have a
display until date, it's hard to see exactly who's conspiring...