RFK Jr. coming to Utah on Monday to talk fluoride, ‘MAHA’ bills

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump at Macomb Community College on Nov. 01, 2024 in Warren, Michigan. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is coming to Utah.

Utah becomes the first state to ban adding fluoride to drinking water

Kennedy — along with Lee Zeldin, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — will be coming to Salt Lake City on Monday to hold a news conference to discuss “MAHA legislation” passed by the 2025 Utah Legislature, state officials announced in a news release issued Thursday. 

That includes HB81, which made Utah the first state in the nation to ban adding fluoride to public water systems. 

State leaders also called out two other bills they expect to highlight Monday, including HB402, which bans public schools from serving food with certain food dyes in them and other additives, and HB403, which restricts Utahns from using SNAP benefits to purchase soda. 

Republican Utah lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, are expected to join Kennedy and Zeldin for Monday’s news conference. 

Other lawmakers slated to attend include House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield; Sen. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove; Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Provo, and Rep. Kristen Chevrier, R-Highland.

Correction: An earlier version incorrectly said HB403 would restrict Utahns from using SNAP benefits to purchase candy. It only prohibits using the benefits to purchase soda. 

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