Ban on vaccines in foods clears first Senate committee with unanimous support

Joe Gruters initially filed a bill addressing both medical marijuana home grow and hemp rules, but refiled it as a measure focused solely on home cultivation.

A ban on delivering vaccines through foods has gotten through its first Senate committee stop.

The Senate Regulated Industries Committee advanced the legislation (SB 196) in a unanimous vote.

Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, said the legislation in a clear way advances the Make America Healthy Again agenda that has broadened President Donald Trump’s support nationwide.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, more Americans are paying closer attention to their health now more than ever,” Gruters said. “This legislation enhances transparency to help protect Floridians from untested, experimental processes to genetically modify their food with potentially dangerous mRNA vaccines. I am proud to see this legislation move forward as we work to make America healthy again.”

Gruters initially filed his legislation as a labeling requirement, but in committee he presented an amendment to impose an outright ban on delivering vaccines in food at all. That was approved without objection.

Ahead of the Legislative Session, Gruters told Florida Politics that the move was based on an outpouring of support from constituents. He saw that other states like Tennessee have already taken steps to restrict the delivery of vaccines in produce.

“The overwhelming response I heard was not just about notification, but the question, ‘Why not just ban it?’” he said.

Sen. Alexis Calatayud, a Miami Republican, also filed an amendment to extend the ban to parabens and other harmful chemicals in makeup products. That also won approval, with Gruters’ support.

While no other Senator spoke directly on the bill in committee, multiple Democrats backed the legislation as well.

Senate President Ben Albritton said the bill showed broad commitment on the part of the upper chamber to consumer safety.

“As a farmer, I know all too well the healing properties that many foods possess. Food certainly can be medicine,” said Albritton, a Wauchula Republican. “However, many Floridians have genuine concerns about the practice of genetically engineering foods to contain experimental vaccines. The families across our state deserve to know what is in the food they eat. This legislation ensures transparency in our food supply.”

Rep. Monique Miller, a Palm Bay Republican, sponsored the House companion bill (HB 525), which awaits a hearing in the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee. She said she is on board with carrying the bill forward with a complete ban on vaccines in foods.

“We all learned a very important lesson during COVID, and that is that the fundamental tenet of medicine is informed consent,” Miller said, “especially with any kind of vaccine.”