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Tallahassee, FL – Florida State Representative Monique Miller, a Republican from Brevard County and Moms for Liberty leader, is championing a controversial new bill to prevent vaccines from being incorporated into food products, sparking both support and skepticism among constituents and experts alike. House Bill 525 (2025), titled “Foods Containing Vaccines or Vaccine Materials,” aims to require strict labeling—or outright prohibition—of any food or drug containing vaccines, addressing what Miller calls an urgent public health and consumer rights issue. You can read the entire bill here.

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During a recent radio interview, Miller raised alarms about scientific advancements, claiming, “They’ve already figured out how to put COVID vaccines in tomatoes. They’ve figured out how to put vaccines in lettuce.” She described the development as “crazy” and “happening today,” urging action to “make food food again” and ensure vaccines aren’t hidden in everyday items without consumer knowledge. Her comments reflect a broader concern about transparency and individual choice, aligning with her legislative focus on “restoring rights” and her collaboration with groups like Stanford Health Freedom, known for advocating health autonomy.

What the Bill Does

HB 525, currently under review in the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee, would amend Florida statutes to deem any food or drug “misbranded” if it contains a vaccine or vaccine material without clear labeling. The bill defines such products as those requiring specific information on their labels about the presence and nature of vaccine materials, ensuring consumers are informed before consumption. If passed, the measure would take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to both food and pharmaceutical products distributed in Florida.

Miller’s push for the bill is part of an effort with Senate companion bill SB 460 filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, indicating support from Senate leadership. During the interview she said “the Senate leadership is all on board with this,” suggesting momentum for the proposal. The legislation targets a hypothetical scenario where edible vaccines—vaccines produced in plants and consumed orally—could enter the food supply, a concept she frames as an immediate threat requiring preemptive action.

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The Science Behind Edible Vaccines

While Miller’s urgency has resonated with some conservative and health freedom advocates, scientists and regulators clarify that edible vaccines remain experimental, not a reality in commercial food production. Research into edible vaccines dates back decades, with studies exploring plants like potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, and lettuce as potential delivery systems for vaccines against diseases such as hepatitis B, Norwalk virus, and, more recently, COVID-19. For instance, a 2021 study by Canadian researchers produced a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in lettuce and tobacco plants, but it was confined to lab settings and not intended for widespread food consumption.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies oversee vaccines and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), requiring extensive testing, safety assessments, and labeling for any food or drug product. As of March 2025, no edible vaccines for COVID-19 or other diseases have been approved for commercial use in food crops like tomatoes or lettuce in the U.S., and there’s no evidence of covert inclusion in grocery store items.

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Political and Public Reaction

Miller’s framing of edible vaccines as an imminent danger has drawn both support and criticism. For her base—particularly far-right and anti-vaccine constituents—the bill taps into fears of government overreach and hidden agendas, a narrative she reinforced by referencing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and calling for action to “nip this in the bud.” Critics, however, argue the bill is a solution in search of a problem, potentially fueled by conspiracy theories rather than solid evidence. Public health experts warn that such legislation could hinder legitimate scientific advancements, like low-cost oral vaccines for global health, without addressing a current threat.

The bill’s introduction follows Miller’s high-profile struggle with another promise—to file an open carry bill—where she faced accusations of flip-flopping and betrayal from Republican gun rights advocates. Her focus on HB 525, alongside other “rights-restoring” measures like gun laws and emergency powers reforms, underscores her conservative agenda but also raises questions about whether she’s prioritizing preemptive legislation over pressing, evidence-based issues.

What’s Next?

HB 525’s path forward remains uncertain. It must navigate committee reviews in the House and secure a companion bill in the Senate, where leadership support exists but opposition from public health advocates could arise. Miller’s collaboration with Sen. Gruters suggests a strategic push, but the bill’s success will depend on balancing constituent fears with scientific and regulatory realities.

For now, Florida residents are left weighing Miller’s warnings against the lack of evidence for widespread edible vaccines. As the 2025 legislative session progresses, HB 525 stands as a test case for how far the state will go to address hypothetical threats—and whether Miller’s vision of “restoring rights” will resonate beyond her core supporters.

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