Florida to become second state to ban fluoride in public water systems

With a vote of 88-27, Florida lawmakers passed a bill that would ultimately ban fluoride in drinking water. SB 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, will prevent “the use of certain additives in a water system.” If the bill is signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis’, Florida will become the second state to ban fluoride in public water systems.

The bill was approved on Tuesday after Utah passed a similar ban last month.

“Anything that relates to water quality, removing contaminants, things like that, we’re not touching that,” Kaylee Tuck, state representative, said. “It’s anything that has to do with health. So fluoride, vitamins, whatever else it is.”

While supporters call the bill a consumer protection measure, public health advocates said the mineral is a safe and effective way of protecting both adults and children from developing cavities.

“As dentists, we see the direct consequences fluoride removal has on our patients and it’s a real tragedy when policymakers’ decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term,” Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, said. “Blindly calling for a ban on fluoridated water hurts people, costs money and will ultimately harm our economy.”

Some communities in Florida have already voted to remove fluoride from their public water systems ahead of the state-wide ban, while other communities believe the decision should be left to local lawmakers.

“No studies have shown that fluoridation at low levels is unsafe for our communities, including babies and pregnant women—in fact, it is vitally important for the health of developing teeth in infants and children,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said. “Ending fluoridation will have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families.”

In 2024, the CDC reaffirmed support of the mineral saying the agency found no “convincing scientific evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effect or systemic disorder such as an increased risk for cancer, Down syndrome, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fracture, immune disorders, low intelligence, renal disorders, Alzheimer disease, or allergic reactions.”