WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a message for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): stop recommending that fluoride be added to the nation’s drinking water.

Kennedy said in a press conference that “it makes no sense to have fluoride in our water.” He added, “We know that [fluoride] causes profound IQ loss.”

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Kennedy cannot order communities to stop fluoridation, but he can direct the CDC to stop recommending it. In addition, Kennedy can urge the CDC to work with the EPA to change the allowed amount. The EPA is reviewing scientific studies regarding the potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water to direct any changes that may be made to national standards.

On March 25, 2025, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) along with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) released a joint statement to offer clarity on drinking water fluoridation in the state. In sum, it stated “No adverse health effects have been associated with consuming water fluoridated at levels currently recommended; and fluoridation benefits everyone in the community, including seniors, adults, and children.”

Last month, Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. Some health organizations are pushing back, saying the move will disproportionately impact low-income people who cannot afford regular dental check-ups.

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