API limitation question

[Carlos Gonzalez]

Reading the limitation like this one:

Your Application may make calls or data retrieval requests ("Calls") at any time that the FatSecret Platform API is available. You understand that there is a rate limit per Application utilizing the FatSecret Platform API and you agree to comply with that rate limit at all times. The amount of the rate limit is 5,000 calls per day and such amount may change from time to time our sole and absolute discretion. Any limit imposed on the number of Calls allowed per day per Key will expire at the close of each day, with any unused requests not being carried over. Increases in any limit imposed can be sought by contacting us. You understand and agree that programmatic methods intended to subvert rate limiting are considered a violation of these Terms of Use.

I'm trying to better understand the limitation of the API.

Context: I have an application that only does food searches on fatSecret API for food information.

1. Assuming I gain 5000 active users and they all make 1 call to the API this will instantly reach the limit. Is this how is intended to use ?

2. What is the best future proof strategy in case scenario 1 happens ?

3.  Is this limitation per application of per user ?

4. Do I need to create a user every time a user signs up to my app  to generate auth_token and auth_secret ? or using the consumer key and consumer secret is enough for my purpose ?

Thank you in advance for any clarification provided.

[seba...@fatsecret.com]

Hi Carlos,

Thanks for reaching out.

The rate limits are 5,000 calls per day regardless of your users and what actions they perform.

We can remove these limits if you qualify as a start-up or non-profits. Please use the contact us form on our API website here: 
https://platform.fatsecret.com/contact

You will not need to generate a new auth token for every user of your mobile.

Kind regards,
The FatSecret Platform API Team