Florida becomes second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water

05/20/2025 / By Laura Harris

On May 15, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law making Florida the second state after Utah to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water.
The ban is included in the Florida Farm Bill, which redefines “water quality additives” to exclude substances like fluoride that aren’t used to treat contaminants or water quality directly.
While fluoride is widely credited with reducing tooth decay and endorsed by the CDC and American Dental Association, recent studies have raised concerns about its impact on children’s neurodevelopment at high exposure levels.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known fluoridation skeptic, has pledged to reassess CDC guidance, fueling similar legislative efforts in states like Ohio and South Carolina.
Supporters view the ban as protecting personal choice and avoiding “forced medication,” while critics warn it may increase dental health issues, particularly in low-income communities.

Florida has officially become the second state in the nation to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, following a new law signed Thursday, May 15, by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Fluoride, a mineral naturally present in soil and water, has been added to drinking water in the United States since the 1940s. It is credited with significantly reducing tooth decay and was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015 as one of the “10 Greatest Public Health Achievements of the 21st Century.” The American Dental Association continues to support its use, stating that “eighty years of community water fluoridation at optimal levels has proven to be safe and effective.”

But concerns about potential adverse effects, especially in children, have gained traction in recent years.

Studies have linked prenatal exposure to fluoridated water with increased neurodevelopmental issues and, at high levels, a possible decrease in IQ. A federal review echoed these concerns, though the CDC and World Health Organization still maintain that fluoride in proper doses is both safe and beneficial.

As a response, DeSantis banned the addition of fluoride to public drinking water.

The ban is part of the newly enacted Florida Farm Bill, which includes provisions redefining what qualifies as a “water quality additive.” Under the new definition, only substances used specifically to address drinking water standards, contaminants or quality may be added to public water systems – effectively excluding fluoride, which has long been added to prevent tooth decay.

“Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine. But forcing it into the water supply is basically forced medication on people,” DeSantis said. “They don’t have a choice. You’re taking that away from them.”

Utah first state to ban fluoride from its public water systems

This issue has gained national political momentum.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of fluoridation, has pledged to reevaluate CDC guidelines on the issue. While he lacks the authority to ban fluoride at the federal level, his stance has influenced local and state governments.

Utah became the first state to ban fluoride from its public water systems in March.

The law, signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox at the time, prohibits cities and municipalities from deciding individually whether to fluoridate their water systems – overriding longstanding local authority on the matter. The ban, which took effect on May 7, is being condemned by national health organizations as a reckless move that could increase dental disease, especially among low-income residents, but is hailed by supporters as a win for personal health freedom. (Related: Utah city orders citizens to avoid drinking water after chemical contamination; what will you do in a water emergency?)

That decision has emboldened similar efforts in other states like Florida. Meanwhile, legislatures in Ohio and South Carolina are currently weighing bills to ban or restrict water fluoridation.

More stories like this can be found at CleanWater.news.

Watch this video about drinking water fluoridation being a form of poisoning under the guise of “forced medicine.”

This video is from the Hyper X2119 channel on Brighteon.com.