News Archive

Neither Vero Beach nor Indian River County has plans right now to stop adding fluoride to the local drinking water, but the topic is likely to be up for discussion soon following new guidance from Florida’s Surgeon General and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vow to ban fluoride. Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be the […]

The conversation about fluoride has finally made its way to the Tallahassee City Commission – but there won’t be a lot to talk about. As part of the Dec. 11 meeting agenda, staff included a status report on the city’s use of fluoride in drinking water, including research surrounding the benefits of continued use and […]

Naples leaders are stopping the practice of adding fluoride into the city’s drinking water. The Naples City Council made the decision in a 4-to-3 vote following a public hearing Wednesday with at least a dozen speakers on both sides of the issue. Council members Ray Christman and Beth Petrunoff had asked for the decision to […]

U.S. Health and Human Services secretary-nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Lapado are sounding alarms about the addition of fluoride to drinking water, but at least in Northeast Florida, whatever fluoride exists in tap water comes straight from Mother Nature. Fluoride strengthens teeth and protects against cavities. The Centers for Disease […]

BARTOW, Fla. — The city of Bartow is the latest to talk about removing fluoride from its drinking water. During a meeting Monday, leaders considered recent guidance from State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. Ladapo spoke against the long-held practice after Winter Haven commissioners voted 3-2 to remove fluoride from its water supply. At the meeting, […]

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — At the first city commission meeting since Florida changed its health guidance, fluoridation was not discussed by city leaders nor the public. Lakeland is the largest municipality in Polk County that adds fluoride to its water supply. One commissioner said he is ready to end the practice “If the state has […]

TAVARES, Fla. — Tavares city council members will discuss removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water during their meeting Wednesday night as the health benefits of the mineral face political controversy. Fluoride isn’t just in water; it’s commonly found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and other products. The CDC said nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population gets […]

Will a new conservative tide in Miami-Dade County wash fluoride out of the drinking water, too? Florida’s top health official under Gov. Ron DeSantis last week recommended local governments stop adding fluoride to water supplies, claiming alleged risks for mental development in children outweigh the help the chemical provides in strengthening children’s teeth. The advisory […]

STUART — Fluoride will be removed from the drinking water here beginning Wednesday — at least temporarily — to shield people from what state health authorities say is potentially harmful effects on their health. Monday’s decision by the City Commission came quickly after guidance Friday by the state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo regarding what […]

GREENWIRE | TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Friday warned residents against consuming fluoride in drinking water, saying the mineral may help with tooth decay but ongoing studies also show it could lead to behavioral problems in children. Public water utilities have been adding fluoride to drinking water for decades as a […]