iodine is absorbed in the stomach. here is where it goes from there:
http://www.alfablack.it/iodio/epi.html
Figure 1. Sequence of I-123 total-body scintiscans of a woman after intravenous injection of I-123 (half-life: 13 hours); (from left) respectively at 30 minutes, and at 6, 20 and 48 hours. It is evident the highest and rapid concentration of radioiodide in gastric mucosa of the stomach and high urinary I-excretion. In the thyroid I-concentration is more progressive, as in a reservoir (from 1% to 5.8 % of the total injected dose).
so you can see, the iodine enters the bloodstream and travels out into the tissue. this is how iodine reaches the food poisoning, most of it being in the stomach. it enters the bladder right away through the bloodstream. there is some concentration just past the stomach and the liver, but the bowels are left alone pretty much.
iodine works great on food poisoning and is one of the best lung medicines EVER. notice the lungs really light up at first.
My friend gave me a bottle of Iodoral as a gift, do I take it with food or empty stomach?
best to take it on an empty stomach with plenty of water.