One, How to prevent food poisoning?

Dietary safety is crucial to ensure a smooth journey while traveling in China. Here are specific recommendations:

1. Food Choices and Restaurant Selection

• Avoid high-risk foods:
• Be cautious about eating raw and cold foods (such as sashimi, undercooked shellfish, cold mixed vegetables), especially in non-high-end restaurants or night market stalls.
• Avoid unpeeled fruits and unwashed vegetables (it's recommended to choose fruits that you can peel yourself, like bananas and oranges).
• Choose hygienic restaurants:
• Prioritize restaurants with "Food Safety Display Plates" (green smiling face logo).
• Use Dianping or Meituan to check restaurant ratings (those above 4 points are safer).
• Chain brand restaurants (such as Haidilao, Xibei Youmiancun) generally have more standardized hygiene management.

2. Personal Hygiene Habits

• Always carry alcohol-based hand sanitizers or wipes, and clean your hands before meals.
• Use serving chopsticks and spoons to avoid cross-infection.

3. Drinking Water Safety

• Only drink bottled water (recommended brands include Nongfu Spring, Yi宝), and avoid tap water (including ice cubes).
• When purchasing drinks, check if the bottle cap seal is intact.

4. Food Preservation and Handling

• Takeout food should be consumed within 2 hours, no more than 1 hour in summer high temperatures.
• For street snacks, prefer those made fresh on the spot (such as pancakes, roasted sweet potatoes), avoiding pre-made preserved flavors or cold dishes exposed for long periods.

5. Emergency Preparedness

• If symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting occur, immediately replenish electrolytes (you can drink Pocari Sweat or oral rehydration salts).
• Retain samples of suspicious food or take photos for record-keeping, providing clues when seeking medical attention.

Two, Recommended Stomach Medications and Usage Guidelines

Chinese pharmacies (such as Lao Bai Xing Pharmacy, Tong Ren Tang) offer various over-the-counter medications. Here are common recommendations:

1. Anti-diarrheal Drugs

• Montmorillonite Powder (Montmorillonite Powder):
• Physically stops diarrhea by adsorbing toxins in the intestines, highly safe.
• Dosage: 1 packet per time, 3 times a day, taken on an empty stomach.
• Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): Prevent dehydration, dissolve according to instructions.

2. Antibiotics (use with caution)

• Norfloxacin (Norfloxacin):
• Targets bacterial diarrhea, requires registration with passport at the pharmacy.
• Contraindications: Not for use by those under 18 years old due to potential joint damage.

3. Gastric Mucosa Protectant

• Talcid Chewable Tablets: Relieves stomach pain and acid reflux, chew after meals.

4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (use with proper differentiation)

• Bao Ji Pills: Suitable for diarrhea caused by damp-heat or improper diet, take 1-2 bottles each time.
• Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water: Effective for gastrointestinal discomfort caused by heat, contains alcohol, so precautions should be noted.

5. Precautions for Purchasing Medications

• Choose chain pharmacies (look for green cross logos), avoid unlicensed street vendors.
• Show your passport and register when purchasing antibiotic drugs.
• If language communication is difficult, use mobile translation software to display the drug name (e.g., “anti-diarrheal” = Antidiarrheal).

Three, Handling Emergency Situations

• If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours (such as high fever, bloody stools, severe dehydration), seek medical attention immediately.
• Call China's emergency number 120, or visit the emergency department of a top-tier hospital (such as Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital).
• Keep all medical receipts; some travel insurance policies may reimburse expenses.