Terms of Service

Last updated: January 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, downloading, installing, or using MealScribe ("the App," "our App," "we," "us," or "our"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the App.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and MealScribe. By using the App, you represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement. If you are using the App on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

2. Description of Service

MealScribe is a mobile application that provides personalized meal planning, recipe management, ingredient tracking, grocery list management, and related services. The App includes AI-powered features for recipe generation, recipe extraction, ingredient detection, meal planning, and recipe image generation.

The App is designed for meal-related use only, including:

  • Recipe creation, organization, and management
  • Meal planning and scheduling
  • Ingredient tracking and pantry management
  • Grocery list creation and management
  • AI-powered recipe generation, extraction, and modification
  • Trending recipes discovery based on community popularity
  • Smart caching of recipe extractions for faster results

AI-powered features are subject to usage limits that vary by subscription tier. Usage is tracked per subscription period to enforce these limits. Current usage information and limits are displayed in the App and are subject to change at any time.

The service is provided "as is" and we reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the service or any part thereof at any time without notice.

2.1 Instacart Integration

The App includes integration with Instacart for creating shopping lists. When you use this feature, ingredient names, units, and quantities are sent to Instacart to generate a shopping list. You will be redirected to the Instacart app or website to complete your order. Your use of Instacart is subject to Instacart's terms of service and privacy policy.

3. Eligibility and Age Requirements

To use the App, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum Age: You must be at least 13 years of age (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction) to use the App
  • Parental Consent: If you are under 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction), you should have parental or guardian consent to use the App
  • Accurate Information: You agree to provide accurate information and not misrepresent your age or identity
  • Legal Capacity: You must have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements in your jurisdiction

If you are a parent or guardian and you become aware that your child under the applicable age threshold has provided us with information, please contact us immediately at support@mealscribe.app.

4. Content Rights and Ownership

4.1 User Content Rights

You retain ownership of any content you create, upload, share, or submit through the App ("User Content"). However, you represent and warrant that:

  • You have the legal right to use and share all content, information, and URLs that you submit
  • You have obtained all necessary permissions, licenses, and consents for any third-party content you share
  • Your content does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights of any third party
  • Your content complies with all applicable laws and regulations

4.2 Third-Party Compliance

When sharing content from external sources (websites, social media platforms, YouTube, etc.), you must comply with all applicable third-party terms of service, including but not limited to:

  • Website terms of service and privacy policies
  • Social media platform terms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
  • YouTube Terms of Service
  • Copyright and intellectual property laws

You are solely responsible for ensuring your compliance with third-party terms when using our content extraction features.

4.3 License Grant

By submitting User Content, you grant us a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:

  • Process your content through AI-powered features to provide the requested services
  • Store and display your content within the App for your use
  • Use your content as necessary to operate, maintain, and improve the App

This license is limited to the purpose of providing our services and does not grant us ownership of your content.

Recipe Caching: When you extract a recipe from a URL, you understand and agree that the extracted recipe content may be cached and served to other users who request the same URL. This caching improves performance and reduces AI processing costs. The cached content is the publicly available recipe from the source URL - no personal information is shared.

4.4 AI-Generated Content Ownership

AI-generated content (recipes, images, meal plans, etc.) created through our App is provided for your personal use. You may use such content for personal, non-commercial purposes. We do not claim ownership of AI-generated content created for you, but such content may be subject to the terms and conditions of the third-party AI service providers we use.

5. App Usage and Prohibited Activities

5.1 Intended Purpose

The App is designed exclusively for meal-related use, including recipe management, meal planning, ingredient tracking, and grocery list management. You agree to use the App only for its intended purpose.

5.2 Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

  • Use the App for any purpose other than its intended meal-related functionality
  • Abuse, misuse, or exploit the App or its features
  • Attempt to generate harmful, offensive, inappropriate, illegal, or malicious content via AI features
  • Attempt to circumvent subscription requirements, security measures, or access controls
  • Attempt to bypass, disable, or interfere with device attestation, authentication, or other security features
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to extract the source code of the App
  • Use automated systems, bots, or scripts to access or interact with the App without authorization
  • Interfere with or disrupt the App's servers, networks, or infrastructure
  • Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
  • Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
  • Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or any other malicious code
  • Harass, abuse, threaten, or harm other users or third parties

5.3 Content Reporting

If you encounter offensive or inappropriate AI-generated content, you may report it through the App's content reporting feature. We reserve the right to review and take appropriate action regarding reported content.

6. User Responsibility

6.1 Content Review and Validation

You are personally responsible for reviewing and validating all AI-generated content before use. AI-generated recipes, meal plans, and other content may contain errors, inaccuracies, or may not meet your specific requirements. You must exercise your own judgment and discretion when using AI-generated content.

6.2 Allergy and Dietary Management

You are solely responsible for managing your own allergies, dietary restrictions, and health considerations. If AI-generated content includes ingredients, allergens, or components that are problematic for you, it is your responsibility to:

  • Review all content carefully before use
  • Remove, modify, or ignore content that does not meet your dietary requirements
  • Verify ingredient lists and nutritional information independently
  • Consult healthcare professionals for dietary advice when necessary

We are not responsible for any health issues, allergic reactions, or adverse effects arising from your use of AI-generated content.

6.3 Content Modification

You should review and modify AI-generated recipes, meal plans, and other content as needed to meet your personal requirements, dietary restrictions, preferences, and health considerations. The App provides editing capabilities for this purpose.

6.4 Health Decisions

The App and its content are not a substitute for professional medical, nutritional, or dietary advice. You should consult qualified healthcare professionals, registered dietitians, or nutritionists for:

  • Medical or dietary advice
  • Nutritional planning for specific health conditions
  • Allergy management and dietary restrictions
  • Any health-related decisions

Do not rely solely on the App or AI-generated content for making health or medical decisions.

6.5 Not a Medical Device - Important Health Disclaimer

MEALSCRIBE IS NOT A MEDICAL DEVICE. The App, including its allergy and dietary restriction filtering features, is provided for convenience and general meal planning purposes only. The App is:

  • NOT cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other regulatory body for any medical purpose
  • NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition
  • NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, allergy testing, or consultation with qualified healthcare providers
  • NOT designed to provide medical-grade allergen detection or dietary compliance verification

AI Allergen Detection Limitations: While you may configure allergy and dietary restrictions in the App to help filter AI-generated recipes, you must understand and acknowledge the following critical limitations:

  • AI may fail to detect allergens: Artificial intelligence may not recognize all forms, derivatives, or alternative names of allergenic ingredients (e.g., "casein" for dairy, "albumin" for eggs)
  • Hidden allergens: AI-generated recipes may contain hidden allergens in compound ingredients, sauces, seasonings, or preparations that are not explicitly listed
  • Cross-contamination: The App does NOT account for manufacturing cross-contamination, shared equipment warnings, or "may contain" advisories
  • Recipe accuracy: AI may generate recipes with incorrect ingredient lists or may misidentify ingredients in extracted recipes
  • Ingredient substitutions: The App cannot verify that suggested ingredient substitutions are safe for your specific allergies or conditions

YOU MUST ALWAYS: Independently verify all ingredients in any recipe before preparation or consumption. If you have food allergies, especially severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis, you should verify every ingredient with the actual product labels and consult with your allergist or healthcare provider.

6.6 Medication and Supplement Interactions

The App does NOT account for food-drug interactions or food-supplement interactions. Many foods can interact with medications or supplements, potentially causing serious health consequences. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Vitamin K and blood thinners: Foods high in vitamin K (leafy greens) can interfere with warfarin and other anticoagulants
  • Grapefruit interactions: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with many medications, including statins, calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants
  • Tyramine and MAO inhibitors: Aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods can cause dangerous interactions with MAO inhibitor medications
  • Potassium and medications: High-potassium foods may interact with ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics, and other medications
  • Calcium and antibiotics: Dairy products can reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics

If you take any medications or supplements, you should consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist about potential food interactions before following any recipes or meal plans generated by the App.

6.7 Vulnerable Populations Warning

Certain populations should exercise additional caution when using the App:

  • Pregnant or Nursing Individuals: The App does not account for pregnancy-specific dietary requirements or restrictions (e.g., mercury in fish, unpasteurized foods, caffeine limits). Pregnant or nursing individuals should consult their healthcare provider before following any AI-generated meal plans
  • Individuals with Eating Disorders: The App includes calorie counts, portion suggestions, and meal planning features that may not be appropriate for individuals with eating disorders or a history of disordered eating. If you have concerns, please consult with a qualified mental health professional
  • Individuals with Complex Medical Conditions: If you have multiple food allergies, autoimmune conditions, metabolic disorders, organ transplants, or other complex medical conditions, the App's filtering capabilities may be insufficient for your needs. Please work with your healthcare team to develop an appropriate meal plan
  • Children: Parents and guardians are responsible for reviewing all AI-generated content for appropriateness, nutritional adequacy, and allergen safety before serving to children. The App is not designed to account for children's specific nutritional needs or developmental considerations

7. Service Limitations and Disclaimers

7.1 As-Is Provision

All extractions, generations, AI-generated content, and services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

7.2 Accuracy Disclaimer

While we strive to provide accurate and complete information, we make no guarantees regarding:

  • The accuracy, completeness, or suitability of AI-generated content
  • The correctness of recipe extractions from URLs, images, or other sources
  • The nutritional accuracy of generated recipes or meal plans
  • The safety or appropriateness of recipes for specific dietary needs or health conditions
  • The effectiveness of allergy or dietary restriction filtering - AI may fail to identify, exclude, or warn about problematic ingredients, allergens, or derivatives thereof

7.3 No Guarantees

The service does not guarantee that:

  • All extractions, generations, or content will be error-free
  • Content will meet your specific requirements or expectations
  • All features will be available at all times
  • The service will be uninterrupted, secure, or free from errors

7.4 Service Availability

We do not guarantee uninterrupted service. The App may be unavailable due to:

  • Scheduled maintenance
  • Unscheduled downtime or technical issues
  • Third-party service provider outages
  • Force majeure events

7.5 AI Limitations

AI technology has inherent limitations and may produce:

  • Unexpected, incorrect, or incomplete results
  • Content that does not match your expectations
  • Errors in recipe extraction, generation, or modification
  • Inaccurate nutritional information or ingredient lists

You acknowledge and accept these limitations when using AI-powered features.

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1 Maximum Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, our total liability to you for any claims arising out of or relating to your use of the App shall not exceed the amount you paid to us for the service in the preceding 12 months, or $100, whichever is greater.

8.2 Exclusion of Damages

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

  • Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
  • Loss of goodwill or reputation
  • Cost of substitute goods or services
  • Damages resulting from use or inability to use the App
  • Damages resulting from errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in content

8.3 Health-Related Exclusions

We expressly disclaim all liability for:

  • Health issues, allergic reactions, or adverse effects arising from use of AI-generated recipes or meal plans
  • Dietary problems or nutritional deficiencies resulting from use of the App
  • Any medical or health-related consequences of using the App or its content
  • Allergic reactions or anaphylaxis resulting from the AI's failure to detect, exclude, or warn about allergens, including hidden allergens, allergen derivatives, or cross-contamination risks
  • Health consequences from failed dietary restriction filtering, including recipes that contain ingredients you have configured as restricted or excluded
  • Food-drug or food-supplement interaction adverse effects, as the App does not account for medication interactions
  • Pregnancy, nursing, or child development complications resulting from following AI-generated recipes or meal plans
  • Exacerbation of eating disorders or mental health conditions related to food and eating

You assume all risks associated with using AI-generated content for meal planning and recipe preparation. This includes, without limitation, the risk that AI-generated recipes may contain ingredients that are harmful to you despite your configured dietary restrictions.

8.4 Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or the limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MealScribe, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from:

  • Your use of the App or violation of these Terms
  • Your misuse of the service or prohibited activities
  • Your User Content or any content you submit through the App
  • Your infringement of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights
  • Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
  • Any health issues or adverse effects arising from your use of AI-generated content

10. Account and Subscription

10.1 Subscription Management

Subscriptions are managed through:

  • Google Play Store: For Android users, subscriptions are managed through Google Play Store
  • Apple App Store: For iOS users, subscriptions are managed through Apple App Store
  • RevenueCat: We use RevenueCat as a subscription management platform, which integrates with Google Play Store and Apple App Store

10.2 Automatic Renewal

Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each subscription period unless:

  • You cancel the subscription before the renewal date
  • The subscription is cancelled by us due to violation of these Terms
  • Payment fails and cannot be processed

You are responsible for managing your subscription through your respective app store settings.

10.3 Cancellation

You can cancel your subscription at any time through:

  • Google Play Store settings (for Android users)
  • Apple App Store settings (for iOS users)
  • RevenueCat customer center (if available)

Cancellation will take effect at the end of your current billing period. You will continue to have access to subscription features until the end of the paid period.

10.4 Purchase Restoration

You can restore previous purchases across devices through the App's purchase restoration feature, subject to the policies of Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

10.5 Security Requirements

To ensure the security and integrity of our services, the App implements the following security measures:

  • Device Attestation: The App uses Firebase App Check for device attestation to verify app authenticity and prevent unauthorized access. Device attestation is required for authentication to our backend services. This security measure helps protect your account and our services from fraud and abuse.
  • App Updates: We may require app updates to maintain security features, including device attestation. You may need to update the App to continue accessing backend services if security requirements change.
  • Authentication Tokens: The App uses secure token-based authentication (JWT) with encrypted refresh tokens stored securely on your device. These tokens are required to access backend services and are automatically refreshed when needed.
  • Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the security of your device and App installation. Do not attempt to modify, reverse engineer, or tamper with the App's security features, as this may result in loss of access to our services.
  • Unauthorized Access: If you suspect unauthorized access to your account or device, please contact us immediately at support@mealscribe.app.

Note: Device attestation and authentication requirements are security measures designed to protect both you and our services. These measures do not collect personal information beyond what is necessary for security verification. For more information about our security practices, please review our Privacy Policy.

10.6 Usage Limits and Tracking

AI-powered features in the App are subject to usage limits that vary by subscription tier. We track your usage of AI-powered features to enforce these subscription-based limits.

  • Period-Based Tracking: Usage is tracked per subscription period. For monthly subscriptions, usage resets at the start of each billing period. For yearly subscriptions, usage is tracked in monthly periods (12 periods per year)
  • Usage Limits: The number of AI-powered jobs (recipe generation, ingredient detection, recipe remix, etc.) you can create per period varies by subscription tier. Current usage limits are displayed in the App
  • Usage Display: Current usage information, including remaining usage count and time until period reset, is displayed in the App within relevant feature dialogs
  • Limit Enforcement: If you exceed your usage limit for a period, you will not be able to create new AI-powered jobs until the next period begins
  • Limit Changes: Usage limits are subject to change at any time without notice. We reserve the right to modify usage limits based on business needs, subscription tiers, or service requirements
  • Admin Users: Administrative users may have different usage limits or may bypass restrictions for administrative and auditing purposes

To view your current usage information and limits, please check the App. Usage tracking is necessary for providing subscription services with usage limits and managing subscription periods. For more information about how usage data is collected and used, please review our Privacy Policy.

11. Refunds

Our refund policy is as follows:

  • No Refunds Beyond Platform Requirements: We do not provide refunds beyond what is required by Google Play Store and Apple App Store policies
  • Platform Compliance: Refund requests will be handled in accordance with the respective platform's (Google/Apple) refund policies and requirements
  • Platform Discretion: Refund decisions are subject to the policies and discretion of Google Play Store and Apple App Store

For refund requests, please contact Google Play Store or Apple App Store support directly, as they handle payment processing and refunds for in-app purchases.

12. Termination

12.1 User Termination

You may stop using the App and delete your data at any time by:

  • Uninstalling the App from your device
  • Using the App's data deletion features to remove your local data
  • Requesting deletion of your backend data through the App or by contacting us
  • Cancelling your subscription (if applicable)

12.2 Service Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the App immediately, without prior notice, for any reason, including but not limited to:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Misuse or abuse of the service
  • Fraudulent, illegal, or harmful activity
  • At our sole discretion for any other reason

12.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your access to backend features and AI-powered services will cease immediately
  • Your local data will remain on your device until you manually delete it or uninstall the App
  • You may request deletion of your backend data, which will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy
  • Usage tracking data will be retained to prevent subscription abuse, as described in our Privacy Policy
  • You will not be entitled to any refunds except as required by applicable law or platform policies

13. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

  • Posting the updated Terms on this page with an updated "Last updated" date
  • Notifying you through the App when material changes are made
  • Providing reasonable notice as required by applicable law

Your continued use of the App after such changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree with the modified Terms, you must stop using the App and may request deletion of your data as described in Section 12.1.

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal proceedings, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting us at support@mealscribe.app. We will make good faith efforts to resolve any disputes within 30 days of receiving your notice.

14.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. For users in the European Union, applicable EU consumer protection laws may also apply.

14.3 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the App shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the United States, except where prohibited by applicable law. For users in the European Union, you may also have the right to bring proceedings in your country of residence.

14.4 Class Action Waiver

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you agree that any disputes will be resolved on an individual basis and waive any right to participate in class actions, collective actions, or representative proceedings.

15. Intellectual Property

The App and its original content, features, functionality, design, logos, trademarks, and other intellectual property are and will remain the exclusive property of MealScribe and its licensors. The App is protected by copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not:

  • Copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the App
  • Reverse engineer or attempt to extract the source code of the App
  • Use our trademarks, logos, or other proprietary information without our prior written consent

16. Privacy Policy

Your use of the App is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our data practices. By using the App, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

17. Google Play Store and Apple App Store Compliance

Our App is distributed through Google Play Store and Apple App Store. These Terms comply with:

  • Google Play Store Developer Policy: We comply with Google's requirements for app content, user data, subscriptions, and terms of service
  • Apple App Store Review Guidelines: We comply with Apple's requirements for app functionality, subscriptions, content, and legal compliance

In the event of any conflict between these Terms and the policies of Google Play Store or Apple App Store, the platform policies shall govern to the extent required by the platform.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and MealScribe regarding your use of the App and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

18.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of MealScribe.

18.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer these Terms or our rights and obligations hereunder without restriction.

18.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance under these Terms due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, internet or telecommunications failures, or government actions.

19. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us: