Florida Officially Bans Fluoride From Public Drinking Water

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Tuesday prohibiting local municipalities from adding fluoride to public water systems.

“Today I was in Miami to support SB 700, which bans local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water. With wide access to topical fluoride, there’s no need to medicate entire communities without their consent,” DeSantis said.

“The Free State of Florida says no to forced medication, and we’re proud to lead the nation on this effort!” he added.

Today I was in Miami to support SB 700, which bans local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water. With wide access to topical fluoride, there’s no need to medicate entire communities without their consent.

The Free State of Florida says no to… pic.twitter.com/GJ2O2Yq5o6

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 6, 2025

Fox News reports:

The new law, part of the broader Florida Farm Bill, does not ban fluoride entirely.

Floridians will still be able to purchase fluoridated water from private suppliers. But it draws a firm line against the government deciding what goes in your glass without your say.

“When it gets hot in the Sunshine State, no one clamors for a cold glass of fluoride,” state Sen. Keith Truenow told Fox News Digital. “We will protect our natural resources and give Floridians the ability to make the best choices without government forcing unnecessary additives.”

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who joined DeSantis at the signing, emphasized that this isn’t about denying people fluoride, but ensuring they aren’t medicated without consent.

“Today, Florida took a bold step and declared that drinking water will hydrate, not medicate,” Simpson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“No Floridian should be medicated without their consent, plain and simple. Through our Florida Farm Bill, we’re saying loud and clear: Florida’s water will be clean, it will be safe and it will be medication-free. That’s what freedom looks like in the Free State of Florida.”

“It’s forced medication when they’re jamming fluoride into your water supply,” DeSantis said.

“We want people to be able to have informed consent,” he added.

WATCH:

#BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis announces he will sign the ban on fluoride in drinking water, pushed by @WiltonSimpson and Sen. Keith Truenow (@SodFatherFL) in the farm bill

“It basically doesn’t allow that anymore… it’s forced medication, when they’re jamming fluoride into your… pic.twitter.com/2nqAm1OftR

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 6, 2025

From the Tallahassee Democrat:

Earlier in the day, Miami-Dade County commissioners also voted to override Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s veto and proceed with plans to remove fluoride from the county’s water supply.

“I think they voted the right way, so thank you,” DeSantis said. “For the counties that voted the other way, the legislation that we’ll sign is going to answer that question.”

The legislative move to nix fluoride additive from Florida’s drinking water isn’t a surprise, as Ladapo, who heads the Florida Department of Health, has backed arguments the American Dental Association call “dangerous.” Bill supporters maintain fluoride is naturally occurring in water sources and adding more is unnecessary.

In November, Ladapo told communities to stop fluoridating their drinking water, citing concerns over fluoride causing “adverse effects in children reducing IQ, cognitive impairment, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”