How to Use Obêtrack
Your complete guide to reducing food waste with AI. Learn every feature step by step.
Getting Started
Obêtrack works right in your browser — no download needed. You can also install it as an app on your phone for the best experience.
Open the App
Visit obetrack.com and tap "Launch App" or navigate to the dashboard. Bookmark it for quick access.
Install on Your Phone (Optional)
When prompted, tap "Install App" to add Obêtrack to your home screen. It works offline and sends push notifications, just like a native app.
Add Your First Items
Head to the Scan page (the + button in the bottom nav). Type what you bought, scan a barcode, or take a photo of your groceries.
Obêtrack stores all data locally on your device. Your food data is private by default — no account required to start!
Adding Food Items
The Scan page offers three smart ways to add food to your inventory. Choose whichever method suits you best — they all end up in the same place.
Tell AI (Text Input)
Type what you bought in plain language. The AI understands natural phrases in English and French, and automatically detects quantities, units, and food categories.
"2 kg chicken, milk, 3 avocados, a bag of spinach and some pasta"
- Supports quantities and units ("500g", "2L", "3x")
- Recognizes 100+ foods in English and French
- Premium users get enhanced AI parsing with Claude
Photo Recognition
PREMIUMTake a photo of your groceries or upload an image. AI vision identifies every food item, estimates quantities, and suggests expiry dates.
- Works with grocery bags, fridge contents, and receipts
- Review and edit items before adding to inventory
Barcode Scanner
Point your camera at a product barcode. Obêtrack looks up the product in the Open Food Facts database and adds it with the correct name, category, and shelf life.
- Instant product lookup from a global database of 3M+ products
- Automatically assigns category and estimated shelf life
- Scan multiple barcodes in a row — items accumulate
Manual Entry
You can also add items manually from the Inventory page. Tap "Add Item", fill in the name, category, quantity, and expiry date, then save.
After the AI identifies your items, review the list and uncheck anything you don't want. Then tap "Add All to Inventory" to save everything at once.
Managing Your Inventory
Your inventory is the heart of Obêtrack. Every food item you add is tracked with its expiry date, category, and quantity. The goal is simple: consume before it expires.
Filter by Status
Switch between All, Expiring, Fresh, and Expired tabs to focus on what matters. The Expiring tab shows items that need your attention in the next 3 days.
Search Items
Use the search bar to quickly find specific items by name. Great when your inventory grows large.
Mark as Consumed
When you eat or use a food item, mark it as consumed. This logs it as a win — your analytics will count it toward your waste score and CO₂ savings.
Mark as Wasted
If food goes bad, mark it as wasted. This is tracked too — not as punishment, but so you can learn patterns and reduce waste over time.
Status Indicators
Expiry Notifications
Never let food expire unnoticed. Obêtrack sends push notifications to remind you when items are about to expire.
Enable Notifications
Tap the bell icon on your dashboard and allow notification permissions when prompted. Your browser will ask for permission — tap Allow.
Set Warning Window
Choose how many days in advance you want to be alerted: 1, 2, 3, or 5 days before expiry. Pick what works for your cooking routine.
Receive Alerts
You'll get a notification whenever items enter the warning window. Tap the notification to open Obêtrack and take action.
Notifications work even when Obêtrack is closed, thanks to the service worker. Make sure you've installed the app for the most reliable alerts.
AI Chef Recipes
The AI Chef creates recipes using the food already in your inventory — prioritizing items that are about to expire. It's the smartest way to prevent waste.
Generate Recipes
Tap "Generate Recipes" and the AI Chef will suggest 2-3 recipes based on what you have. Each recipe shows prep time, servings, difficulty, and which expiring items it uses.
Dietary Preferences
Filter recipes by dietary needs: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or quick meals (under 30 min). The AI adapts its suggestions accordingly.
Save Favorites
Found a recipe you love? Tap the bookmark icon to save it. View your saved recipes anytime from the AI Chef page.
Share Recipes
Share recipes with friends and family using the share button. The recipe text is copied to your clipboard or shared via your device's share menu.
The AI Chef works best when you have 3+ items in your inventory. The more ingredients available, the more creative the recipes!
Analytics & Achievements
Track your food waste reduction journey with real numbers. The Analytics page shows how much money you save, CO₂ you prevent, and food you rescue.
What We Track
CO₂ Prevented (kg)
Money Saved (€)
Items Consumed
Waste Score (0-100)
Earn Achievements
Obêtrack is free to use with generous limits. Premium unlocks AI superpowers for users who want the best food waste reduction experience.
Free Plan (Forever)
- Up to 50 items in inventory
- Smart text parsing (100+ foods recognized)
- Barcode scanning with product lookup
- Full analytics, achievements, and notifications
Premium Plan (€2.99/month)
- Unlimited inventory items
- AI photo recognition (snap your groceries)
- Enhanced AI text parsing with Claude
- AI Chef recipe generation
- Cloud sync across all your devices
Food Waste Reduction Tips
Beyond tracking, here are practical tips to waste less food every day.
First In, First Out
When unpacking groceries, move older items to the front of your fridge and put new purchases behind them. This simple habit prevents forgotten items from expiring.
Freeze Before It Expires
If you won't eat something in time, freeze it! Most meats, breads, fruits, and cooked meals freeze well for 2-3 months. Label with the freeze date.
Plan Your Meals
Check your Obêtrack inventory before shopping. Plan meals around what you already have, especially expiring items. The AI Chef can help with this!
Use Stems, Peels & Leftovers
Broccoli stems make great soup. Citrus peels can flavor water. Stale bread becomes croutons or breadcrumbs. Get creative before throwing anything away.
Understand Expiry Dates
"Best before" means quality, not safety — most foods are fine days after. "Use by" is the safety date. Trust your senses: look, smell, taste.
Store Food Properly
Keep bananas separate (they ripen other fruits). Store herbs in water like flowers. Keep tomatoes at room temperature. Proper storage extends shelf life significantly.
Ready to Start Saving?
Every item tracked is a step toward less waste, more savings, and a healthier planet.
Launch Obêtrack