Background <p>We applied and extended the Protection Motivation Theory to investigate the predictive factors of not eating wild mushrooms to find ways to prevent food poisoning accidents.</p> Methods <p>A total of 322 residents from poisoning risk areas in China completed a self-administered questionnaire based on Protection Motivation Theory, assessing perceived susceptibility, rewards, self-efficacy, and risk information seeking. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares method.</p> Results <p>Perceived susceptibility (β = 0.221, P &lt; 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 0.194, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001), and risk information seeking (β = 0.245, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) were positively correlated with the intention of not eating wild mushrooms. In contrast, intrinsic rewards (β=-0.168, <i>P</i> = 0.039) were negatively correlated with the intention of not eating wild mushrooms. </p> Conclusion <p>Perceptual susceptibility, intrinsic rewards, self-efficacy, and risk information seeking to predict the behavioral intention of not eating wild mushrooms. The results of this study support the theory of protection motivation and its extended applicability, providing evidence that public health crises can promote changes in resident behavior related to food safety.</p>