FL town votes to remove fluoride from drinking water amid RFK warnings

As he begins to assemble what he hopes will be his administration's new Cabinet, Donald Trump made what was seen as the highly controversial choice of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to take the helm at the Department of Health and Human Services.

While Kennedy has long been known for his unorthodox views on a number of issues ranging from vaccines to food additives, based on one Florida town's recent decision to remove fluoride from its water supply as described by The Hill, RFK's positions may be more popular than many -- including Trump -- may have realized.

Florida city takes action

In a move that has surprised many, the Winter Haven, Florida, city commission voted last week by a margin of 3-2 to take fluoride out of the municipal water supply.

The plan is to eliminate the additive by Jan. 1 of next year or “as soon as reasonably practical thereafter,” as WFLA noted.

Mayor Pro Tem Brian Yates stated, “The government really should not be involved in healthcare, or what goes into the bodies of citizens. Those really should be left up to the patient and the [healthcare] provider,” and he suggested that fluoride in water may have played a role in his own hyperthyroidism diagnosis.

The formal resolution solidifying the move made reference to a federal court ruling that voiced concerns about the potential harm done by fluoride in public water and ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct research into the matter.

Commissioner Brian Dantzler, who voted in support of the resolution, referenced Kennedy's position on the matter, saying, “I'll tell you that after the recent election, President Trump has named Mr. Kennedy to be his H-something-something director, and Mr. Kennedy has made it well known and has publicly said that he wants fluoride out of the water around the entire country. So this issue, we may be at the front of it, but this issue is coming just based upon current events and what's going on in Washington, D.C.”

Kennedy's stance, explained

As Fox News reports, Kennedy has made no secret of his concerns about fluoridated water supplies, and they are likely to be at the forefront should he secure confirmation to the Cabinet-level role for which he has been nominated.

Signaling what is likely to be one of his top priorities should he assume the role, Kennedy recently took to X to declare, “On Jan. 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.”

Kennedy went on, “Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease.”

“President @realDonaldTrump and First Lady @MELANIATRUMP want to Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy concluded.

Though the topic of fluoride remains contentious, Ashley Malin, PhD recently told Fox News Digital, “There have been numerous studies conducted in North America linking chronic, low-level prenatal fluoride exposure with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in the realm of intellectual functioning, attention, executive function and neurobehavior.”

Kennedy's ambitious agenda in the balance

In announcing the nomination of Kennedy to a key Cabinet position, Trump himself gave some insight into the agenda he may pursue if confirmed, noting his belief that “for too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.”

Trump added, “The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country,” but whether the Senate will give Kennedy a chance to launch his ambitious menu of reforms, only time will tell.