Hasty Briefsbeta

Bilingual

DeSantis signs Florida fluoride ban. What comes next?

a year ago
  • #Florida politics
  • #public health
  • #water fluoridation
  • Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning local governments from adding fluoride to water, effective July 1.
  • The bill prohibits adding substances to water unless they improve water quality or reduce contaminants.
  • Major health organizations oppose the ban, warning of negative health impacts.
  • DeSantis framed the bill as promoting informed consent and personal choice.
  • About 100 water systems in Florida currently add fluoride, but some have already stopped.
  • Opposition to fluoride has grown, with figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo supporting the ban.
  • Experts like Margherita Fontana argue fluoride is safe and effective for dental health.
  • The FDA plans to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children by October 31.