The Leniency of "Strange Shape" Regarding Dairy Bread

Can you please elaborate on the leniency of “strange shape” regarding dairy bread?

Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 97:1) writes that one may bake milchig or fleishig bread if the bread is baked in a unique shape. This will act as a reminder that there is something different about this bread, and those who see it will inquire why is it different. An example of a unique shape would be if one bakes bread with horns (like an ox) or in a triangular shape. Maharit (2:18) writes that this leniency only applies to a family at home, but a bakery may not sell milchig or fleishig bread even if they make it in a unique shape. In this case, we are afraid that the baker might forget to mention that the bread is dairy, and the customer later will have no one to ask. However, if the bakery puts a slice of cheese on top of the bread, so that it is obviously dairy, it is permitted. Likewise, Rav Belsky, zt”l held that a croissant, which is readily identifiable by its shape and is generally known to contain butter, is also permitted.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.