The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has opened a public consultation on a draft assessment of the health risks associated with fluoride exposure from drinking water, diet, and other sources.

The draft proposes a safe level of intake of 3.3 milligrams (mg)/day for those aged 9 years and above, including pregnant women. Regarding pregnant women, EFSA provisionally concluded that potential effects on fetus’ developing central nervous systems can occur at or above fluoride drinking water levels of 1.5 mg/liter (L). At lower levels of fluoride, the evidence for potential harm is inconsistent and insufficient to draw clear conclusions.

The concentrations of fluoride found in drinking water in European countries are usually less than 0.3 mg/L.

For infant and young children populations, the draft opinion proposes tolerable upper intake levels at 1 mg/day for infants 0–12 years of age, 1.6 mg/day for children 1–3 years of age, and 2 mg/day for children 4–8 years of age. These upper levels are linked to the risk of dental fluorosis (tooth discoloration) and are protective of all other potential adverse effects for these age groups.

The public consultation on the draft opinion is open until February 9, 2025.