The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and take aim at the labeling of plant-based products such as milk, meat and eggs.

The bill comes amid debates in cities and counties across the state about ending the decades-old practice of adding fluoride to public water supplies to improve dental health.

GOP Representative Danny Alvarez says government agencies should not decide whether to put drugs and chemicals in people’s bodies.

"Does the government have the right, by a mere simple majority vote, to put medicines, drugs and chemicals into your body that you did not consent to?" Alvarez asked colleagues.

Bill opponents, including Representative Anna Eskamani, say adding fluoride to water supplies is a public-health measure.

“At the current levels of fluoride, it is very, very low. Not only is it safe; it is a game-changer for dental health,” Eskamani saud,

The Senate passed the bill earlier this month, which means it is now ready to go to Governor Ron DeSantis.

If DeSantis signs the bill, Florida will follow the lead of Utah, which this year became the first state to ban fluoride in public water supplies.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava issuing a statement:

“I am deeply disappointed by the Florida Legislature’s decision to pursue a statewide ban on water fluoridation, a decision that disregards the overwhelming consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts and will end a practice that has been in place for decades to protect our health.

Fluoridation is a proven, safe, cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay and protect oral health for children and adults, particularly for families with limited access to dental care. No studies have shown that fluoridation at low levels is unsafe for our communities, including babies and pregnant women – in fact, it is vitally important for the health of developing teeth in infants and children. Ending fluoridation will have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families.

A decision like this – which impacts the health and wellbeing of all Florida families – should be left to local communities to determine what is best for their residents. In Miami-Dade we know that our community trusts dentists, not politicians, on whether or not we should fluoridate, and that’s why I continue to believe that listening to medical experts is the best way to safeguard our health.”

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Bill Cunningham