How many more are going to be joining.
Florida is on track to become the second state in the U.S. to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public drinking water. This move comes after state lawmakers gave final approval to a provision within the broader Florida Farm Bill (SB700), which passed the House by a vote of 88–27. While the bill does not directly mention fluoride by name, it contains language that effectively bans specific additives in public water systems, including fluoride.
Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the bill into law, following a similar move by Utah, which recently became the first state to enact such a ban. Utah’s law, which prevents both individuals and government bodies from adding fluoride to public water supplies, will take effect on May 7. Other states, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Nebraska, are reportedly considering similar legislation.
Fluoride has long been endorsed by health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its role in preventing tooth decay by restoring minerals to damaged teeth. According to the CDC, nearly 72% of Americans served by public water systems had access to fluoridated water as of 2022. Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association support continued fluoridation, citing its benefits for both children and adults.
However, the practice has its critics. A 2023 report from the National Toxicology Program suggested a potential link between elevated fluoride exposure and reduced IQ in children, based on studies involving fluoride levels above the federally recommended limits. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been vocal in his opposition, describing fluoride as a harmful substance linked to various health conditions and stating he would urge the CDC to end its promotion of water fluoridation.
In response to the legislation, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed strong opposition, emphasizing that fluoride is a proven, safe, and cost-effective method to protect oral health—particularly for underserved communities. She argued that decisions about water treatment should remain under local control and warned that discontinuing fluoridation could negatively impact vulnerable populations, especially children.
