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By Sonam Sheth
Evening Politics Editor
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday that it will move to phase out fluoride supplements used to strengthen children's teeth, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The Context
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has frequently railed against fluoride—which medical and dental experts say can be crucial in preventing tooth decay and cavities, especially in children who live in areas with lower levels of fluoride in drinking water.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said fluoride makes teeth stronger and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear. Federal officials backed adding fluoride to drinking water in 1950 and in 1962 introduced guidelines for how much should be added to water.
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What To Know
The FDA will conduct a scientific review of fluoride dental supplements for children by late October with the goal of removing them from the market, according to the AP.
The agency does not plan to formally withdraw the products, since the process for doing so would take years. Instead, it will ask manufacturers to voluntarily pull their products from the market, the AP reported, citing an administration official.
Tuesday's announcement from the FDA comes after Kennedy said last month that he would order the CDC to stop recommending that fluoride be added to tap water.
Kennedy lauded the FDA's move to phase out fluoridated dental supplements for children, saying in a statement Tuesday: "Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue. This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President [Donald] Trump's promise to Make America Healthy Again."
The health secretary has strongly opposed the fluoridation of public water supplies, referring to fluoride as "industrial waste" and a "dangerous neurotoxin" and suggesting that it's linked to a number of illnesses, including cancer. His views have spurred a number of state-level bans and lawsuits targeting products containing fluoride.
Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water after last month's announcement from Kennedy and lawmakers in Florida have also passed legislation aiming to implement a similar ban across the Sunshine State.
Scientists and medical experts have sharply criticized Kennedy's views, arguing they are not backed by enough scientific evidence and could undermine public health initiatives to prevent tooth decay.
Groups including the World Health Organization and the American Dental Association maintain that water fluoridation is a safe and effective public health measure.
Critics of adding fluoride to drinking water say that doing so can negatively affect the gut microbiome and that too much fluoride ingestion can result in a lower IQ.
What People Are Saying
The American Cancer Society previously said: "The general consensus among the reviews done to date is that there is no strong evidence of a link between water fluoridation and cancer" and that further research is needed.
What Happens Next
The FDA's study that's designed to help phasing out fluoride dental supplements for kids is scheduled to wrap up by late October.
AP reporting contributed to this article.
Update 5/13/25 6:34 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and context.
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