Introduction to the Bill
A wide-ranging agricultural bill that would prohibit local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies is ready for a full Senate vote.
The measure (SB 700), approved along party lines by the Republican-controlled Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday, in part revises the definition of “water quality additive.”
Debates in Communities
The bills come amid debates in communities throughout Florida, including in South Florida, about whether to continue the longstanding practice of adding fluoride to drinking water to help with dental health. In Miami-Dade County, commissioners voted on April 1 to stop adding it to tap water.
Miami-Dade County’s Decision
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has until Friday to veto the item. If not, fluoride will stop being added to the county’s water supply by May. Levine Cava said she’s weighing her options and called for a roundtable discussion on Monday, where parents, officials and doctors spoke out.
Arguments Against Fluoridation
A longtime critic of fluoridation in Escambia County, Pueschel Schneier told the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee the issue is about “medical freedom” and claimed there is no excuse for someone to claim they don’t have access to a toothbrush. “No government entity has the right to medicate us against our will,” Schneier said. “They have no right to medicate an entire population because they believe maybe a small portion of that population will benefit.”
Arguments For Fluoridation
But Jackson Oberlink, legislative director for Florida For All, maintained that fluoridating water has been one of the nation’s most successful public health initiatives. “Are cavities the new culture war? Is the water too woke?” Oberlink said.
State Officials’ Views
Calling it “public health malpractice,” Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo in November advised local governments to stop adding fluoride to their community water supplies. The American Dental Association responded by claiming Ladapo was “misinformed.” Local officials in Port St. Lucie, Naples and Niceville are among communities that have agreed to remove fluoride from their water.
Other Provisions of the Bill
The wide-reaching bill approved Tuesday also would allow the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create rules to prohibit plant-based products being “mislabeled” as meat and poultry products. The bill also would ban most drone operations over agricultural lands and preempt local governments from regulating construction of housing for “legally verified” agricultural workers. A similar housing preemption was vetoed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who claimed the 2024 measure lacked enforcement related to illegal workers.
Conclusion
The decision to ban fluoride in water supplies has sparked intense debate, with proponents arguing it is a matter of medical freedom and opponents claiming it is a successful public health initiative. As the bill heads for a full Senate vote, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved.
FAQs
Q: What is the bill about?
A: The bill (SB 700) would prohibit local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and would also allow the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create rules to prohibit plant-based products being “mislabeled” as meat and poultry products.
Q: Why are some people against fluoridation?
A: Some people argue that fluoridation is a matter of medical freedom and that the government should not be able to medicate the population without their consent.
Q: What is the current status of the bill?
A: The bill has been approved by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and is ready for a full Senate vote.
Q: How does the American Dental Association view the issue?
A: The American Dental Association claims that Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is “misinformed” in his views on fluoridation and that fluoridating water is a successful public health initiative.
