Debate over fluoride in drinking water expected to come up in 2 Bay Area counties Tuesday
Local governments mull cutting fluoride from water
FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia reports on leaders in Manatee and Pinellas County's ongoing plans to meet with community members to discuss whether to remove fluoride from their drinking water supplies. This stems from a November guideline released by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who advised all cities and counties statewide to stop adding fluoride to drinking water, calling it "public health malpractice."
BRADENTON, Fla. - Leaders in Manatee County plan to take up whether to remove fluoride from drinking water, while Pinellas County commissioners expect to hear from activists during their meeting Tuesday.
The talks come as several other local governments across Florida have already taken measures to remove the chemical from their water systems.
State guidelines against fluoride
The backstory:
In November 2024, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo advised that all cities and counties statewide stop adding fluoride to drinking water, calling it "public health malpractice."
"There are other sources of fluoride that people in communities have access to, whether it's brushing with fluoridated toothpaste or brushing with mouthwash," Ladapo said in November.
The state's stance on the issue is the same as that of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who President Donald Trump has nominated for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The other side:
The history of fluoride in drinking water dates back generations, with researchers saying it is the primary source of fluoride for Americans and is a tool to help reduce tooth decay.
PREVIOUS: As Florida urges local governments to remove fluoride, areas with experience issue warnings
Officials lowered their recommendation for drinking water fluoride levels in 2015 to address a tooth condition called fluorosis, that can cause splotches on teeth and was becoming more common in U.S. kids.
Cities and counties address fluoride
Local perspective:
Prior to Dr. Ladapo's news conference announcing state guidelines, the City of Winter Haven voted in November to stop adding fluoride to the city's water supply.
The City of Lakeland is considering removing fluoride, as well, with commissioners saying they'll hear from both sides during a public hearing on Feb. 17.
Several other cities around the state are also doing away with fluoride, including Niceville, Fort Pierce, Ormond Beach, Naples, Tavares, Stuart and Port St. Lucie.

Fluoride in tap water.
What's next:
Manatee County commissioners put the topic of fluoride on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, citing Dr. Ladapo's guidance. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
Pinellas County leaders expect to hear about the issue of fluoride, as well, during public comment at their meeting, which starts at 2 p.m.
Pinellas County previously removed fluoride from its water in 2011, but it was reinstated after a public outcry in 2013.
The Source: This story was written using information from Manatee County Government, Pinellas County Government and previous FOX 13 News reports.
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