A proposed Florida law could change the decades-long practice of adding fluoride to its public water systems. The House of Representatives has approved SB 700, also known as the “Florida Farm Bill,” which bans fluoride in public drinking water statewide. While it does not mention the chemical compound by name, it aims to restrict the use of certain additives in water supplies.
If signed into law, Florida could join Utah as the second state in the U.S. to prohibit water fluoridation.
What does this mean?
The bill specifically addresses issues related to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, from land management to the labeling of plant-based products as dairy or meat. The most controversial aspect includes banning local governments from using certain additives in public water systems, such as fluoride.
Supporters of the measure say that government should not mandate the addition to chemicals to public water and that removing fluoride could reduce costs for municipalities. Opposers of the bill state that eliminating fluoride will harm people who rely on fluoridated water to prevent tooth decay, especially those with limited access to dental care. Groups like the American Dental Association and the CDC support fluoridation of community drinking water as a safe and effective way to reduce cavities and improve overall oral health.
In response to the passage of the bill, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava issued a statement, stating that a decision like this should be made at the local level and that it “disregards the overwhelming consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts.”
She added, “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. Ending fluoridation will have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families.”
Earlier this month, Miami-Dade County Commissioners voted to remove fluoride from the county’s tap water, but it was vetoed by the mayor. The commission is set to meet again on Tuesday, May 6, with the possibility of a vote to override the veto, bringing the county’s own fluoride ban to take effect.
What’s next for SB 700?
The bill has passed the state legislature and now awaits the signature of Governor Ron DeSantis, who has previously expressed support for removing fluoride from water supplies. If signed, the ban would go into effect on July 1, 2025.