Florida Moves to Ban Fluoride in Drinking Water as Farm Bill Advances

Florida is poised to become the second state in the nation to ban fluoride from its municipal drinking water systems. On Tuesday, state lawmakers passed the Florida Farm Bill, which includes provisions that restrict certain additives in public water—effectively banning the use of fluoride.

The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature. If signed into law, it would reverse decades of public health policy that supported water fluoridation as a way to protect dental health.

According to Florida’s Surgeon General, more than 70% of Florida residents currently receive fluorinated water through community water systems. For years, adding fluoride to treated water has been endorsed by both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as a proven method for reducing cavities.

Supporters of the ban argue that fluoride should not be mandated in drinking water and say residents should have more control over what substances are added to their water supply. Opponents, including many in the dental and public health communities, warn that eliminating fluoride could lead to a rise in preventable dental issues—especially among children and low-income populations.

In March, Utah became the first state to enact a similar ban on fluoride in public water systems. Florida’s move could set the stage for more states to reconsider their fluoridation policies.

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