Florida becomes second state to ban fluoride in public water

Florida has become the second state to officially ban fluoride in public water.

Florida has become the second state to officially ban fluoride in public water.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 700, also known as the Florida Farm Bill, into law Thursday. The bill doesn’t specifically mention the word “fluoride,” but it effectively bans the mineral by preventing “the use of certain additives in a water system.” It will go into effect July 1.

"You’ve had this debate, and really Florida’s led on this, too, partially because our Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, has really led the charge by going to counties and saying forcing fluoride into your water is actually not good," DeSantis, a Republican, said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. "Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine. But forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people. They don’t have a choice."

DeSantis said the fluoridation of water violates “informed consent.” He also said the mineral has been proven to negatively affect pregnant women and children, inviting medical professionals, including Ladapo, to talk about the mineral’s side effects.

A study published in 2019 suggested that IQ levels were slightly lower in kids whose mothers had higher measures of fluoride in their urine during pregnancy, but its research was far from conclusive.