Terms & Conditions

1. Scope and Contracting Party

These Terms apply to the use of the Chefito App via desktop and mobile devices. Any deviating general terms of users shall not apply unless we explicitly agree to them in writing.

The contracting party is Diego Felipe Pineda Leiva (pinedapps).

Contact details:

• c/o MDC Management#4996, Welserstraße 3, 87463 Dietmannsried, Deutschland
• General email: info@pinedapps.de
• Data protection email: datenschutz@pinedapps.de
• Support email: support@pinedapps.de

2. Description of Services

Chefito is a digital kitchen, pantry, and recipe manager that helps you organise food stocks, shopping lists, meal planning, recipes, and insights for household management.

The browser version at chefito.de/app is not a separate Chefito application: it uses the same user account and shared kitchen data as the mobile app. Individual features may differ for technical, security, or platform-specific reasons.

The service may comprise free features as well as optional paid modules in the future. Details are provided within the app or on our website.

Using the app requires an internet-enabled device, an up-to-date browser, and a stable internet connection. We do not warrant the availability of third-party services outside our control (e.g., your internet provider).

Feature scope currently includes guided help tours, Start Hub missions with progress tracking, manual nutrition entries, and tools for precise partial-consumption logging.

3. Registration, Account, and Verification

A personal account is required to use the app. Accounts are non-transferable and each natural person may maintain only one account. You must be at least 18 years old and use the service for private, non-commercial purposes.

When registering you must provide truthful, accurate, and complete information. We may request additional evidence whenever necessary to prevent fraud or comply with legal obligations.

After registration we will send a verification e-mail. Full access to your dashboard is available only after successful verification. We may delete accounts whose e-mail address remains unverified for an extended period.

By maintaining an account you agree to:

• Keep your password, two-factor authentication codes, and any other access data strictly confidential.
• Ensure that all activities carried out through your account can be attributed to you.
• Notify us without undue delay of any suspicious activity or potential security incidents.
• Update your master data promptly so that we can reach you when necessary.

4. Formation of Contract and Documentation

The service agreement becomes effective once we accept your registration by providing access to your account. Upon completion of the verification process these Terms form part of the agreement. We store the version of the Terms applicable at the time of conclusion and keep them available for you.

We reserve the right to reject registrations without stating reasons. There is no entitlement to conclude a contract. If payments have already been made, they will be refunded without delay.

5. Subscriptions and Access Terms

The Chefito App offers a freemium model with different usage tiers:

• Free Version: Storage of up to 50 items and 50 recipes, one personal kitchen, barcode scanning, and a limited Ask Chefito allowance. Additional AI scanning and generation features may require Pro/Pro+.
• Pro Subscription: Up to 1,000 inventory/archive/shopping-list items and up to 500 recipes per kitchen, full AI functionality (receipt scanning, recipe suggestions, automatic categorisation), unlimited guided Cooking Mode, kitchen creation (inviting Free users requires a Pro+ kitchen owner).
• Pro+ Subscription: All Pro features plus the ability to invite Free users to your kitchens.

Free Trial: New subscribers may receive a free trial period of up to 7 days, where offered by the respective app store. After the trial expires, the subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled beforehand. Exact trial terms are displayed before purchase in the app store.

Data Retention on Cancellation or Downgrade: Your data (recipes, inventory, settings) will NOT be deleted if you cancel your subscription or switch to the Free version. Access to data exceeding the Free limits is simply restricted. You may export your data at any time or renew your subscription to regain full access.

Kitchen Access After Expiry or Downgrade: Access to additional kitchens and certain shared kitchens is determined by your active subscription tier at the time of access. If your Pro or Pro+ subscription expires, or you switch to Free, access to additional kitchens you created and/or shared kitchens may be restricted until the required tier is active again. For Free members, access to shared kitchens may additionally depend on the kitchen owner having an active Pro+ subscription.

Usage Limits per Data Area: Free limits are enforced separately per data area (inventory, shopping list, archive, recipes). Import and restore features do not bypass these limits.

AI Features and Allowances: Free includes a small Ask Chefito allowance shown in the app. Pro and Pro+ include higher allowances and additional AI scanning and generation features. Current daily/monthly limits and fair-use boundaries are shown before use or on the paywall and may be adjusted for cost, security, or abuse prevention.

Cooking Mode Trial Session: Free accounts can try one complete Cooking Mode session. Further Cooking Mode sessions require Pro or Pro+. Normal recipe and inventory functions remain available.

Maximum Kitchen Memberships: The total number of kitchens an account can belong to is technically capped (currently up to 10 kitchens per user account).

Invites and Ongoing Sharing: Existing or pending kitchen invites/shares may be automatically restricted if the required subscription eligibility of participating accounts (especially the kitchen owner) is no longer met.

Backup Recommendation Before Expiry: If you plan to cancel or not renew, use the in-app backup/export feature before the end of your current subscription period so you keep a local copy of your kitchen data.

At present, subscriptions are concluded and managed exclusively through the in-app purchase systems of Apple (App Store) or Google (Google Play). Their terms and conditions apply additionally. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled through the relevant platform at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

Subscriptions cannot be purchased, restored, or managed in the browser version. Chefito directs users to the mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play for these actions.

Cancellations and refunds for store purchases: Changes, cancellations and refund requests for subscriptions purchased through Apple or Google are generally handled through the relevant store interface and under that platform's policies.

6. Right of Withdrawal for Consumers

If you are a consumer and conclude a contract directly with us, you have a statutory right to withdraw from the agreement within 14 days from the date of conclusion of the contract.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, you must inform us of your decision by means of an unequivocal statement (e.g., by e-mail). You may use the wording below, which is not mandatory.

• Recipient: Chefito App – Withdrawal, c/o MDC Management#4996, Welserstraße 3, 87463 Dietmannsried, Deutschland
• E-mail: info@pinedapps.de
• Subject: Withdrawal from my Chefito agreement
• Text: "I hereby withdraw from the contract for the use of the Chefito App. Name, e-mail address, date."

Upon valid withdrawal from a contract concluded directly with us, we will delete your account and refund any payments within 14 days from receipt of your notice using the same payment method you employed, unless otherwise agreed.

The right of withdrawal expires for digital content or digital services once we have fully performed the service after you have expressly consented to the start of performance and confirmed your knowledge of the loss of the withdrawal right.

For purchases made via the Apple App Store or Google Play, additional platform terms and refund procedures may apply. Corresponding requests generally have to be addressed to the relevant platform.

7. Obligations of Users

You agree to use the Chefito App in compliance with these Terms and applicable law. In particular you must:

• Use the app in conformity with food, consumer, and data protection regulations.
• Respect third-party rights such as copyrights, trademarks, personal rights, and data protection.
• Refrain from uploading or sharing unlawful, defamatory, hateful, violent, or otherwise objectionable content.
• Avoid misuse such as automated scraping, data mining, or other activities that interfere with the service.
• Create backup copies of essential data that you require for your own purposes.

Violations may result in suspension or termination of your account and can lead to claims for damages.

8. Prohibited Use and Security

You must not circumvent security features, introduce malware, or use the service in a way that jeopardises stability or security.

• Reverse engineering, decompiling, or otherwise manipulating the source code unless expressly permitted by law.
• Excessive system load (e.g., through automated mass requests).
• Sharing your account or access credentials with third parties.
• Using the service for commercial secondary products without our prior written consent.

We may implement technical measures to prevent misuse and log suspicious activity. If we detect indications of a breach, we may temporarily suspend your account while we investigate.

9. Content, Licences, and Intellectual Property

All rights to the software, databases, designs, trademarks, logos, and content of the Chefito App belong to us or our licensors. Unless otherwise agreed, you receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the app for private purposes.

You retain ownership of the content you create (e.g., recipes, images). At the same time you grant us a worldwide, revocable, non-exclusive licence to store, back up, and display such content within the app for the purpose of providing the service and enabling access for persons authorised by you.

You warrant that your content infringes no third-party rights and is free from malware. We may remove or block content that violates these Terms without prior notice.

10. User-Generated Content, Disclaimer, and Prohibited Content

User Responsibility: You are solely responsible for all content you upload, share, or publish in the Chefito App, including but not limited to recipes, photographs, texts, comments, and other media (collectively "User Content").

Operator Disclaimer: The operator (Diego Felipe Pineda Leiva (pinedapps)) assumes no liability for User Content. Chefito does not generally or proactively monitor private kitchen, inventory, recipe, or activity content. Public leaderboard names and profile photos selected for publication are, however, automatically screened against narrowly defined safety categories before publication. Screening can make mistakes, is not an individual legal assessment, and does not relieve users of responsibility for their content. Obligations to remove or block unlawful content once we become aware of it remain unaffected.

No Endorsement: The presence of User Content in the App does not constitute endorsement, approval, or adoption of such content by the operator.

Prohibited Content: It is expressly prohibited to upload, share, or distribute the following content:

• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or any content that sexualizes minors.
• Violence-glorifying, terrorist, or extremist content.
• Hate speech, racist, or discriminatory content.
• Copyrighted content without proper authorization.
• Personal data of third parties without their explicit consent.
• Fraudulent, misleading, or harmful content.
• Malware, viruses, or other harmful software.
• Content that violates applicable law.

In-App Reporting and Moderation: The App provides built-in tools to help maintain a safe community. You can report objectionable content directly within the App by selecting the "Report" option on shared content. Reports are prioritised by severity and urgency and reviewed carefully within a reasonable period. You may also report violations via email to: abuse@pinedapps.de.

Blocking Users: You may block other users at any time through the App. Blocking a user will: (a) hide all content shared by that user from your feed, (b) prevent the blocked user from sending you friend requests or shares, (c) remove the user from your friends list if applicable. If you block a kitchen owner, you will automatically leave that shared kitchen. If a kitchen owner blocks a member, that member will be automatically removed from the kitchen.

Hiding Content: You may hide individual pieces of shared content you do not wish to see without blocking the sender.

Consequences of Violations: When prohibited content is established, proportionate measures such as removal, hiding, or access restriction may be taken. Criminally relevant content, particularly child sexual abuse material, is reported to the competent bodies where legally required. Repeat offenders may have their accounts permanently suspended.

Response Time: Reports are handled carefully, impartially, and without undue delay; indications of imminent danger or particularly serious illegal content are prioritised.

Indemnification: You shall indemnify and hold harmless the operator from any and all claims by third parties arising from your User Content or your use of the App. This includes reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs.

Trust-Based Kitchen Model: The Chefito App operates on a trust-based model where kitchens are designed to be shared exclusively among people who know each other personally and trust one another – such as family members, roommates, partners, or close friends. All kitchen members have full edit and delete rights for inventory items, shopping lists, and recipes within their shared kitchen. When inappropriate or erroneous content appears, members can immediately correct or remove it themselves – without waiting for external moderation. This model enables faster and more direct problem resolution than traditional reporting systems. For serious violations or suspicious user behavior, profile reporting is available.

Why No Individual Item or Recipe Reporting: Since all kitchen members can edit and delete content, a reporting function for individual items would be counterproductive. A reported and hidden item would still appear in recipes and shopping lists, leading to data inconsistencies. Instead, our model enables immediate correction: see something inappropriate? Edit or delete it directly. This ensures data consistency and faster problem resolution.

Handling Issues in Shared Kitchens: If you repeatedly notice inappropriate content from a kitchen member, we recommend: (1) Address the person directly, (2) Remove problematic content yourself, (3) Report the user's profile for serious misconduct, (4) As a kitchen owner, consider removing the member, or as a member, leave the kitchen. You may also block a user, which automatically severs the kitchen connection.

Social Features Safety Guidelines: When using the App's social features (friend requests, kitchen invitations), we strongly recommend only accepting requests from people you know personally. Do not accept invitations from unknown individuals. Report suspicious users through their profile to abuse@pinedapps.de.

Public Chefito Table: Participation is voluntary, off by default, and intended only for people who confirm they are at least 16. Only the ranking fields selected in the preview are published. Disallowed names or photos may be rejected automatically, hidden after a report, or removed after human review. Affected users receive a reason and may use the available complaint or appeal route. Leaving the table stops future public display without deleting private Kitchen Points.

11. Third-Party Data and Open Databases

The Chefito App uses data from Open Food Facts to identify products via barcode scanning. This data is available under the Open Database License (ODbL).

The Discover section also contains recipe data, text, and images supplied by TheMealDB, a service of TheDataDB Ltd. Chefito is an independent service and is not operated or endorsed by TheMealDB or TheDataDB Ltd.

• Attribution: Data provided by Open Food Facts contributors.
• Share Alike: Any enhancing data contributed back adheres to the ODbL.
• Disclaimer: While we strive for accuracy, Open Food Facts data is crowdsourced. We cannot guarantee its completeness or correctness. Always verify product information, especially regarding allergens, directly on the physical packaging.
• TheMealDB attribution: Recipe data and recipe images are supplied through the official TheMealDB endpoints under its terms of use and the permission granted to the operator. Rights in data, images, marks, and other content remain with their respective owners.
• Adaptation and saving: Chefito may normalize API content for display, translate it automatically, and let users save an editable copy to My Recipes. A saved copy may differ from the current version available from TheMealDB.
• Accuracy and availability: Third-party recipes, images, translations, measures, and classifications may be inaccurate, incomplete, changed, or withdrawn. Chefito does not test or endorse them. Source, copyright, and trademark notices must not be removed or misrepresented.

12. Food Safety and Health Disclaimers

Not a Substitute for Professional Advice: The information provided in the Chefito App, including recipes, nutritional information, expiry dates, and storage suggestions, is intended for general guidance only and does not constitute medical, nutritional, or other professional advice.

Nutrition Tracking Values Are Estimates: Calorie, macro/micronutrient, consumption, and waste values are personal self-tracking estimates only. They are not intended for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or therapeutic decision-making.

Manual Nutrition Entries: Manually entered nutrition values and AI-assisted estimates are based on user input and model assumptions. They may be incomplete or inaccurate and must not be treated as clinical reference data.

Expiry Dates Are Estimates: Expiry dates suggested by the App are based on general guidelines and may vary depending on the product, storage conditions, and handling. Always check food items for freshness, smell, appearance, and texture before consumption. The operator assumes no liability for health issues caused by spoiled food.

Recipes Are Guidance Only: Recipes and cooking instructions (including AI-generated ones) are intended as suggestions. Cooking results may vary. Pay attention to proper cooking times and hygiene standards.

Allergens and Intolerances: The App may not fully capture or display all allergens or intolerances. Always carefully check original packaging and ingredient lists. If you have food allergies or intolerances, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.

No Medical Advice: The App does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. For health concerns, dietary requirements, or nutritional changes, please consult qualified healthcare professionals.

Personal Responsibility: You bear full responsibility for the use of information provided in the App and for the preparation and consumption of food.

13. Data Protection and Communication

We process personal data in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Our Privacy Policy forms an integral part of these Terms and explains the details of data processing.

We may contact you using the information stored in your account when necessary to perform the contract, ensure security, or inform you of important changes. This includes in particular security notices, substantial feature updates, or legally required communications.

14. Availability, Maintenance, and Support

We strive to ensure a high level of availability. Nevertheless maintenance windows, security updates, or events beyond our control (force majeure) may temporarily limit accessibility.

We announce planned maintenance where reasonably possible. The service is provided in accordance with the current state of the art; no claim exists for error-free availability at all times.

Support requests may be sent to info@pinedapps.de. We endeavour to respond as quickly as possible, typically within five business days.

15. Liability

We are liable without limitation for damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health, and for damages caused intentionally or by gross negligence. The same applies to guarantees and claims under the German Product Liability Act.

In cases of slight negligence we are liable only if a material contractual obligation has been breached. In such cases liability is limited to the damage foreseeable at the time of conclusion of the contract.

Any further liability, in particular for indirect damages, lost profits, or data loss, is excluded unless one of the aforementioned cases applies. These limitations equally apply to our legal representatives and agents.

16. Term, Termination, and Deletion

The agreement runs for an indefinite period. You may terminate it at any time without notice by deleting your account via the account settings or by notifying us accordingly.

We may terminate the agreement by giving 14 days’ notice. The right to extraordinary termination for good cause (e.g., serious breaches of these Terms, payment default, misuse) remains unaffected.

Upon termination your personal data will be deleted or anonymised in accordance with statutory requirements unless legal retention periods apply. You may export your content before termination where the respective feature exists.

17. Changes to the App or the Terms

We may further develop the app and amend these Terms for valid reasons (e.g., technical progress, legal requirements, closure of regulatory gaps).

You will be informed of planned changes at least 30 days before they take effect. If the change is not disadvantageous to you, your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance, provided you did not object beforehand.

For substantial or disadvantageous changes we will seek your explicit consent. Should you refuse, you may continue to use the app under the previous conditions if technically feasible; otherwise we may terminate the agreement by giving 30 days’ notice.

18. Store-Specific Terms for the Apple App Store and Google Play

If you obtain the Chefito App through the Apple App Store or Google Play, the following store-specific terms apply in addition to these Terms:

• Apple Contracting Relationship: If you use the app through the Apple App Store, you acknowledge that these Terms are concluded solely between you and the operator of the Chefito App, and not with Apple. The operator, not Apple, is solely responsible for the app and its content.
• Apple License Scope: For iOS, you receive a non-transferable licence to use the app on any Apple-branded products that you own or control, as permitted by the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions. Where applicable, this also includes access through Family Sharing or volume purchasing.
• Apple Maintenance and Support: Maintenance and support for the app are provided solely by the operator or as otherwise required by applicable law. Apple has no obligation whatsoever to furnish maintenance or support services for the app.
• Apple Warranty: To the extent any warranty cannot be effectively disclaimed, the operator alone is responsible for such warranty. If the app fails to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple may refund the purchase price, if any, paid for the app. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Apple has no other warranty obligation with respect to the app.
• Apple Product Claims: The operator, not Apple, is responsible for addressing any claims relating to the app or your possession and use of it, including product liability claims, claims that the app fails to conform to legal or regulatory requirements, and claims arising under consumer protection, privacy, or similar laws.
• Apple Intellectual Property Claims: In the event of any third-party claim that the app or your possession and use of it infringes intellectual property rights of another party, the operator, not Apple, is solely responsible for the investigation, defence, settlement, and discharge of that claim.
• Export and Sanctions Compliance: You represent and warrant that you are not located in a country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated by the U.S. Government as a terrorist supporting country, and that you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties.
• Third-Party Terms: You must comply with all applicable third-party terms of agreement when using the app.
• Apple as Third-Party Beneficiary: Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and, upon your acceptance of these Terms, Apple will have the right to enforce these Terms against you as a third-party beneficiary.
• Google Play Contracting Relationship: To the extent these Terms govern your rights in the app made available through Google Play, that agreement is solely between you and the operator of the Chefito App, and not with Google. Google assumes no responsibility or liability under these Terms.
• Google Play Priority Rules: Use through Google Play remains subject to the applicable Google Play terms and Google Play policies. To the extent mandatory Google Play distribution terms conflict with these Terms, those terms control to the extent of the conflict.
• Store Contact: Questions, complaints, or claims relating to the app may be directed to the contact details in Section 1 and to support@pinedapps.de. If a developer telephone number is additionally stated in the relevant store listing, that number also forms part of the contact channel for such requests.

19. Applicable Law, Dispute Resolution, and Final Provisions

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Mandatory consumer protection provisions of your country of residence remain unaffected.

If you are a merchant, a legal entity under public law, or reside outside the European Union, the courts of Hanover, Germany, shall have exclusive jurisdiction. For consumers the statutory places of jurisdiction apply.

The European Commission's online dispute resolution (ODR) platform was discontinued on 20 July 2025. We are neither willing nor obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

If any provision of these Terms is or becomes invalid, the remainder shall remain unaffected. The invalid provision shall be replaced with the valid provision that most closely reflects the economic purpose of the original clause.

These Terms are available in German, English, and Spanish. In the event of discrepancies the German version shall prevail.

20. Attributions and Licenses

For certain assets used in the app, the following attribution requirements apply:

• Google Inc. (Lottie Animations): Certain animations are provided by Google Inc. and are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0 - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
• MotionWizard (Lottie Animations): Certain animations are provided by MotionWizard via IconScout and are used under the IconScout Digital License.