A Pomeranian? An unidentified life form? None of that, actually this ‘cute’ object in the article’s headline is a moldy cheese .

The curious looking mozzarella (and hairy) went viral on Twitter last Wednesday (24) after an internet user shared with the network what happens if you forget a cheese for weeks in the fridge.

It didn’t take long for the ‘creature’ to be successful on social media. In the original tweet alone, the publication surpassed over 120,000 likes and, of course, generated many jokes.

Consumption? Friend, you have a pet there, if you doubt it, it’s a pomeranian lulu already

— Deni (@MininaDinosaur) January 25, 2023

And so began the apocalypse depicted in The Last of Us

— Chaotic Gemini (@vini_bicalho) January 24, 2023

looks great

— PAULO VIEIRA (@PauloVieiraReal) January 25, 2023

health risks

Despite Internet users’ jokes, consumers should always keep an eye on the validity of perishable foods, as warned by nutritionist and doctoral student in Health Sciences Mariella Reinol.

According to the professional, spoiled food can lead to poisoning and infections.

Among the main symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting, chills, fever and diarrhea, mainly caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. Including, the painting can get worse to the point that hospitalization is necessary.

Caring for the cheese you consume

Despite the different types of cheese and the different production and maturation formats, it is important to pay attention to some details to identify spoiled food.

“It is important that you pay attention to the smell, texture and appearance of the cheese. Before consuming, always look carefully and from all sides. If you have any mold or different coloration, discard it, even if it is still within the expiration date”, warns the nutritionist.

For those who love to eat that classic bread and cheese in the morning, Mariella gives tips for you to always guarantee the best food even in the supermarket.

According to the nutritionist, we should keep an eye on the two main types of cheese: fresh and chilled.

“In the case of fresh cheeses, the most important thing is to pay attention to the expiration date, considering that they are not matured. As for the cheeses that we find refrigerated, it is important that you pay attention to the color and appearance. If you can give preference to chilled and packaged cheeses vacuumeven better”, points out Mariella.