Florida city votes to remove fluoride from drinking water, citing RFK Jr.'s comments as one of the reasons

A Florida city voted this week to remove fluoride from its drinking water, and one city commissioner cited Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past comments on the issue as one reason.

The City Commission of Winter Haven, Florida, voted 3-2 on Tuesday to remove fluoride from the city's water by January 1 of next year, or “as soon as reasonably possible thereafter,” according to NBC News affiliate WFLA. It was decided to remove it as soon as possible. reported. Government overreach was also cited as one of the problems.

“Government really shouldn't be involved in healthcare and what goes into people's bodies,” Mayor Pro Tem Brian Yates said Tuesday, according to WFLA. “Those really should be left to the patient and the patient.” [healthcare] provider. ”

During a lengthy discussion, Secretary Brad Dantzler addressed concerns that Kennedy, President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, shared during his campaign.

“Let me tell you, after the recent election, President Trump put Mr. Kennedy in his most important position, and Mr. Kennedy has made it very well known and publicly said that he wants to eliminate fluoride from the water. “We did,” said Dantzler, who voted in favor of fluoride removal, according to WFLA.

President Kennedy has said he will push to remove fluoride from water supplies, but the effort is likely to face difficulties.

“So this issue, we may be at the forefront of it, but this issue is being raised solely based on current events and what's happening in Washington, D.C.,” Dantzler said. added.

The former independent presidential candidate, who ended his candidacy in August and endorsed Trump, shared his desire to clear the grounds regardless of what position he might hold in the next Republican administration.

Fluoride, a natural substance, has been used in drinking water in the United States since 1945 and is widely considered one of the most important public health measures of the 20th century.

President Kennedy has previously said that the substance is “linked” to a variety of medical problems, but part of his claim is that it is linked to higher doses of fluoride than what you would normally experience when drinking fluoridated water. It is from people who have been exposed.