In case you aren't already aware, there's a vocal minority of people out there who advocate washing shredded cheese. But why ...

What consumers tend to love most about shredded cheese is its melty, creamy texture (think cheese pull), salty flavor, and high protein content. But the same attributes that make shredded cheese so ...

On the other hand, the upsides of packaged shredded cheese include less moisture overall — so it is less likely to mold and generally lasts longer in the refrigerator than block cheese.

Read on to learn more about the substance found on shredded cheese, known as powdered cellulose, and its uses. Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.