RFK Jr. Says He'll Urge CDC to End Fluoride Guidance in US Drinking Water

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday that he plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending the fluoridation of community water systems across the United States. Speaking after a news conference in Salt Lake City, Kennedy told The Associated Press that he is also assembling a task force to focus on the health effects of fluoride in drinking water.

The announcement comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed it is reviewing "new scientific information" regarding the potential health risks of fluoride.

Why It Matters

The CDC has long supported water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay, noting that it helps strengthen teeth by replacing minerals lost during normal wear. Since 1950, the federal government has recommended fluoridation, and in 1962, it issued guidelines for optimal fluoride levels in public water systems. The agency currently recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.

What to Know

Utah recently became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite objections from dentists and national health organizations who warned that the move could lead to increased dental health problems, particularly among low-income communities. Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation last month that prohibits cities and communities from deciding independently whether to fluoridate their water.

Kennedy, a former environmental attorney, has called fluoride a "dangerous neurotoxin" and linked it to health issues such as arthritis, bone fractures and thyroid disease. While some studies have found potential associations—often at higher-than-recommended levels—experts caution that the evidence is mixed and not conclusive.

He stood at the event flanked by Utah legislative leaders and the sponsor of the new law.

A 2023 report from the federal government's National Toxicology Program summarized international studies and found that children exposed to fluoride levels above 1.5 milligrams per liter showed lower IQ scores. Currently, about two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water, covering roughly 17,000 of the 51,000 community water systems across the country.

While Kennedy does not have the authority to order communities to halt water fluoridation, he can instruct the CDC to withdraw its recommendation supporting the practice. Additionally, Kennedy can collaborate with the EPA to review and potentially revise the federally allowed levels of fluoride in drinking water. These moves could significantly influence local and state decisions on fluoridation policies nationwide.

What People Are Saying

Kennedy praised Utah's decision, saying: "I'm very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will." He added, "Utah has emerged as the leader in making America healthy again."

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who appeared alongside Kennedy, said: "When this evaluation is completed, we will have an updated foundational scientific evaluation that will inform the agency's future steps. "Secretary Kennedy has long been at the forefront of this issue. His advocacy was instrumental in our decision to review fluoride exposure risks and we are committed to working alongside him, utilizing sound science as we advance our mission of protecting human health and the environment."

Mark Fullner, a dentist in Utah County, told ABC4: "It really only hurts the children whose families are not aware of the benefits of the (fluoride) program, or cannot afford to go to their dentist or physician to get fluoride supplements. It also puts the burden of compliance on adults in those families who care enough to follow the guidelines to administer proper doses (of fluoride). Chances of a mistake in those circumstances seems to be much higher than the associated risks with well-monitored addition of fluoride to the water source."

Utah Oral Health Coalition chairperson Lorna Koci predicted Monday that children will have more cavities as a result and said backers of the fluoride legislation in Utah spread false information that raised doubts about its effectiveness: "This seems to be less about fluoride and more about power."

What Happens Next

All public water systems in Utah must shut down fluoridation by May 7.

Several U.S. states are also considering legislation to end or limit the fluoridation of public drinking water.

Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.

Update: 4/7/25, 6:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.

Update: 4/7/25, 6:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.

Update: 4/7/25, 7:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.