I. How to Prevent Food Poisoning?

When traveling in China, food safety is of utmost importance. Below are our professional recommendations:

1. Food Choices and Hygiene Habits

• Choose Reputable Restaurants: Prioritize chain restaurants (such as Haidilao, Xibei Whole Wheat Noodle Village), hotel restaurants, or those rated 4.5 stars or above on Dianping. Avoid unlicensed street vendors.
• Cooked Food Principle: Avoid raw food (such as sashimi, cold mixed dishes). Ensure that food is thoroughly cooked, especially seafood, meat, and eggs.
• Observe Hygiene Conditions: Check if the restaurant uses sterilized utensils (sealed packaging or high-temperature disinfection cabinets) and if tables have obvious grease or dirt.

2. Avoid High-Risk Foods

• Be Cautious with Street Snacks: Such as barbecues, stinky tofu, and pickled foods, which may breed bacteria due to improper storage.
• Avoid Homemade Drinks: Stay away from non-bottled fruit juices or bulk cold teas. We recommend bottled mineral water (such as Nongfu Spring, Bisai Mountain).

3. Personal Protective Measures

• Carry Disinfectant Supplies: Use alcohol wipes to clean utensils or hands, especially outside of first-tier cities.
• Control Eating Pace: Chinese cuisine can be heavy (such as spicy or greasy flavors). When trying it for the first time, eat in moderation to avoid irritating your stomach.

4. Pay Attention to Water Safety

• Drink Bottled Water Only: Avoid drinking tap water directly. Even boiled water may carry risks due to pipe issues.
• Use Ice with Caution: Some merchants may use non-purified water to make ice. It’s better to request "no ice."

5. Special Reminders for Certain Groups

• Children and Elderly: Avoid overeating fried or sugary foods (such as deep-fried snacks or scorpions).
• Allergic Individuals: Learn Chinese allergy-related vocabulary (e.g., "peanut allergy" = 花生过敏) and carry printed cards with you.

II. Recommended Stomach Medications and Usage Suggestions

During your trip in China, you may want to prepare the following over-the-counter medications (consult a doctor to confirm their suitability):

1. Relieve Diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Discomfort

• Montmorillonite Powder (Montmorillonite): Effective for acute diarrhea; it adsorbs intestinal toxins. Brands like “Smecta” are available.
• Berberine Hydrochloride (Berberine): A traditional Chinese medicine extract used for bacterial diarrhea, commonly known as "Coptisine."
• Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): Prevent dehydration. The brand "Boyee" is available at Chinese pharmacies.

2. Indigestion and Stomach Pain

• Digestive Tablets: Contain traditional Chinese medicine ingredients such as hawthorn and tangerine peel to relieve bloating.
• Hydrotalcite Tablets (Hydrotalcite): Neutralize stomach acid and relieve stomach pain. Brands like “Daxi” are available.

3. Emergency Handling

• If Symptoms Are Severe (continuous vomiting, fever, bloody stools), seek medical attention immediately or call the Chinese emergency number 120, and contact the hotel front desk for assistance.

4. Purchasing Medication Guidelines

• Pharmacy Choice: Choose reputable chains such as "Tong Ren Tang" or "Guoda Pharmacy." You’ll need to register with your passport when purchasing certain medications.
• Language Communication: Use translation apps (such as Google Translate) to describe symptoms, or show pictures of the medication.

III. Other Precautions

1. Keep Receipts: If you encounter food-related issues and need to file a complaint, keep invoices and contact merchants or dial the consumer hotline 12315.
2. Insurance Preparation: Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical responsibilities, including sudden gastrointestinal disease expenses.