try

foodie_utils.py

@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ IMAGE_EXPIRATION_DAYS = 7  # 7 days, consistent with foodie_automator_rss.py
 def load_json_file(file_path, expiration_hours=None, default=None):
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
     if default is None:
-        default = [] if "rate_limit_info" not in file_path else {}
+        if "rate_limit_info" in file_path or "notification_tracking" in file_path:
+            default = {}
+        else:
+            default = []
     
     if not os.path.exists(file_path):
         logger.info(f"File {file_path} does not exist. Returning default: {default}")
@@ -57,8 +60,8 @@ def load_json_file(file_path, expiration_hours=None, default=None):
         with open(file_path, 'r') as f:
             data = json.load(f)
         
-        # Handle rate_limit_info.json differently
-        if "rate_limit_info" in file_path:
+        # Handle rate_limit_info.json and notification_tracking.json as dicts
+        if "rate_limit_info" in file_path or "notification_tracking" in file_path:
             if not isinstance(data, dict):
                 logger.warning(f"Data in {file_path} is not a dictionary, resetting to default")
                 return default