Florida bans fluoride from drinking water, joining Utah

With the stroke of a blue Sharpie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this year’s “Florida Farm Bill,” which among other things makes it against the law to fluoridate municipal water supplies.

It also adds consumer protections and establishes the Florida Aquaculture Foundation, but the removal of fluoride from local water supplies has gotten most of the attention. The law goes into effect July 1.

The bill itself doesn’t explicitly mention “fluoride” but rather removes it from the state’s legal definition of acceptable “water quality additives.”

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, making it more resistant to acid from bacteria and sugary foods.

What is fluoride? Why health experts maintain that it’s ‘safe and effective’

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has expressed concerns – rejected by other public health experts – “about physical and mental health risks … associated with overexposure to fluoride.”

DeSantis called it “forced medication,” likening it to the push for vaccinations during the pandemic: “Some people think they know better for you, … that they should decree how you live your lives,” he said at the bill signing.

Dental and health care experts say ending fluoridation of the public water supply could lead to an increase in dental problems, such as cavities. That could affect poorer, often rural populations without dental insurance or which are otherwise limited in their access to dental care.

Earlier this year, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride. Florida will now be the second.

This story contains previously published material. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill banning fluoride as water additive