American Notes Oregon

Where Oregon officials are concerned, half a loaf is worse than none at all. State law specifies that no commercially sold bread may weigh less than 15 oz. That would prohibit the popular baguette, the lean French bread that weighs in at a stylish 8 oz. Crusty authorities cracked down on baguettes in January, getting a rise out of Oregonians who love the bread's light, crispy texture. The 1939 bread law was written to protect consumers against "balloon bread" that had more air than dough. But doubling the weight of the 2-ft.-long baguette would mean doubling its size. Says Portland Baker Howard Minh Le: "Who is going to buy a 4-ft. baguette?" After receiving dozens of letters and calls from baguette boosters, authorities agreed to give the French bread a break. The loaves will be available at least until a hearing later this month.