Local governments in Florida ​and across the country recently have debated — and, in some cases, stopped — the longstanding practice of adding fluoride​ to water supplies.

A new bill filed in the Florida Senate aims to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water supplies, sparking debate over the long-standing practice and its impact on public health. Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) introduced the bill (SB 700) on Thursday with the backing of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Local governments in Florida and across the country recently have debated — and, in some cases, stopped — the longstanding practice of adding fluoride to water supplies. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has urged more communities to take that step, appearing personally at a hearing in Tavares late last year as the city halted the practice.

Becoming an Orlando Weekly Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

A Senate committee Thursday moved to advance a controversial fluoride bill after hearing from supporters and opponents and from those who assert system-wide injection of fluoride into drinking water violates bodily autonomy and self-will.

With the backing of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Senate Republican on Thursday filed a wide-ranging bill that would bar public water systems from adding fluoride to water supplies. Sen.