• Florida has banned fluoride in public drinking water, becoming the second U.S. state to do so, citing concerns over health risks and personal choice.
• Gov. DeSantis and health officials framed the ban as a victory for informed consent, opposing “forced medication” through water supplies.
• Research linking fluoride to neurodevelopmental issues in children influenced the decision, with experts calling for policy changes.
• The ban follows a federal court ruling and Utah’s earlier prohibition, signaling a growing movement against fluoridation nationwide.
• Dental associations oppose the move, but Florida’s policy prioritizes individual rights and updated scientific evidence over traditional mandates.

Florida has taken a bold stand against forced medication by becoming the second state in the U.S. to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced this week that he will sign Senate Bill 700, known as the “Florida Farm Bill,” which prohibits local governments from adding fluoride or other medical additives to water supplies.

The move, which is being praised by health freedom advocates, follows mounting scientific concerns over fluoride’s potential risks, particularly for children and pregnant women.

A victory for informed consent

DeSantis framed the decision as a matter of personal choice, stating, “When you do this in the water supply, you’re taking away a choice of someone who may not want to have overexposure to fluoride.” He emphasized that Floridians should not be subjected to “forced medication” without their consent.

The governor was joined by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who declared, “Today we announce that drinking water will hydrate, not medicate. Florida water will be clean, it will be safe, and it will be medication-free.”

The ban, effective July 1, does not prevent individuals from purchasing fluoridated water or using fluoride toothpaste. Instead, it ensures that government agencies cannot mandate exposure to the chemical. “People deserve informed consent,” DeSantis said, reflecting growing skepticism toward top-down public health policies.

The science behind the ban

Critics of water fluoridation argue that the risks far outweigh the benefits, especially given modern dental hygiene alternatives. Ladapo cited research linking fluoride exposure to neurodevelopmental issues in children, including lower IQ and ADHD.

“With more and more studies finding associations of fluoride exposure with adverse neurological outcomes, even at levels that we commonly encounter in Florida, the findings point to an imminent need for policy change,” said Ashley Malin, Ph.D., a University of Florida epidemiologist.

A 2024 federal court ruling also played a key role in Florida’s decision. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen concluded that fluoridation at current U.S. levels poses an “unreasonable risk” to children, prompting the EPA to reconsider regulations. Additionally, a National Toxicology Program report found consistent links between fluoride exposure and cognitive impairments.

A growing movement

Florida’s ban follows Utah’s lead, which became the first state to prohibit fluoridation in March. Rick North of the Fluoride Action Network called the trend a “tipping point,” noting that over 60 U.S. communities have recently halted fluoridation. “The U.S. is catching up to the 95% of the world that has already rejected fluoridation,” he said.

Despite opposition from dental associations, which argue fluoride prevents cavities, DeSantis dismissed their stance as outdated.

A brighter, fluoride-free future

Florida’s decision marks a turning point in public health policy, prioritizing individual rights and emerging science over decades-old mandates. As more states reconsider fluoridation, advocates hope this move will inspire broader change. “Today’s efforts to prohibit local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water is the logical next iteration of our commitment to being the Free State of Florida,” Bryan Griffin, DeSantis’s communications director, declared. For now, Floridians can celebrate cleaner, safer water and the freedom to choose what goes into their bodies.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

FoxNews.com

USAToday.com