DADE CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron DeSantis was in Pasco County on Thursday to hold a signing for what’s being called the “Farm Bill.”
Of the number of issues the bill, titled SB 700, addresses, the most controversially debated was the question of whether fluoride should be in drinking water.
Fluoride is a mineral that has been added to drinking water for generations to reduce cavities and strengthen teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite the debate against the move, state lawmakers approved the bill last month.
“We certainly now, in our society in 2025, we have the ability to deliver fluoride through toothpaste, and mouthwash, and all these other things. You don’t gotta force it and take away people’s choices,” said Gov. DeSantis. “The whole crux of the issue is, you should be able to make decisions on the basis of formed consent. So, you should be able to take information, you should be able to talk to folks — your doctor, your friends, your family, whatever on any of these issues and then make an honest judgement on what you think is best for you and your family.”
“Forcing this in the water supply is trying to take that away from people who may want to make a different decision whether than to have this in water,” said DeSantis.
The prohibition will go into effect on July 1, making Florida the second state, after Utah, to ban fluoride in water.