Tylenol controversy puts Summit, New Jersey, in national spotlight

A national debate over Tylenol and autism intensified this week after President Donald Trump urged pregnant women not to take the over-the-counter painkiller, saying acetaminophen use could be linked to autism in children born to mothers who took it.

Summit, New Jersey, the affluent commuter town that now hosts Kenvue’s headquarters, found itself at the center of the discussion as the company announced a new, large-scale campus and its relocation of a major operations hub there earlier this year. The Summit site, opened after a move from Skillman, is described as a 290,000-square-foot complex that houses marketing, science, legal, communications and operations functions and is expected to employ roughly 22,000 people. The company moved its headquarters to Summit in March 2025, a development that has reshaped the town’s economy and public perception of Tylenol, which is owned by Kenvue.

In response to the president’s remarks, Kenvue pushed back, saying independent science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism and that Tylenol remains the safest option for fever and pain relief during pregnancy when medically necessary. The company stressed that more than a decade of rigorous research, reviewed by public health authorities and medical professionals, supports the drug’s safety in pregnancy and warned against chasing unproven links that could push pregnant women toward riskier alternatives.

Public health experts have noted that the evidence on acetaminophen and autism is mixed. Some studies have suggested an association, but many larger, more robust investigations have not established a credible connection. Health authorities often note that untreated fever during pregnancy can pose greater risks to both mother and fetus than the use of acetaminophen when medically indicated. Dr. Salena Zanotti, an obstetrician-gynecologist contacted through the Cleveland Clinic, has said that while no medication is entirely without risk, fever itself can be more dangerous for fetal development than acetaminophen in appropriate doses and durations.

Locals in Summit offered a mix of curiosity, skepticism and anger. Some residents told reporters that the president’s remarks felt like political theater, while others described uncertainty about what, if anything, should change in daily life. One witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, summarized a common sentiment: there may be no single cause for autism, but the topic is far from settled. A store employee and several passersby described the headlines as unsettling, even as many acknowledged the town’s proximity to a major corporate headquarters.

The United States is currently grappling with what many describe as an autism crisis. The latest estimates place prevalence at about 1 in 31 children, a significant increase from roughly 1 in 150 in 2000. Researchers note that changes in diagnostic criteria and greater awareness have contributed to higher reported rates, and some policymakers argue that environmental factors or maternal health conditions may also play a role. Critics of the administration’s framing point to the lack of conclusive evidence tying acetaminophen to autism and warn against politicizing a medical issue with inconsistent research.

Tylenol’s corporate history is central to Summit’s story. The medication was long associated with Johnson & Johnson until the consumer health business was restructured into Kenvue in 2023 as a separate publicly traded company. Kenvue moved its headquarters to Summit in 2025, creating a substantial employment hub in the area. The company maintains production sites for Tylenol in Pennsylvania, Canada and Puerto Rico, while the Summit campus focuses on marketing, research and development, legal and other corporate functions. The scale of the operation has made the headquarters a visible symbol of the town’s new economic footing, even as debates about the drug’s safety continue to circulate.

Kenvue’s leadership has also evolved in recent months. Kirk Perry was named interim chief executive officer in July, succeeding Thibaut Mongon, who stepped down after an internal review of the company’s operations, according to reporting cited by USA Today. The leadership change, like the relocation and the public health discussion, has fed into a broader national conversation about corporate influence, public health messaging and how communities respond when a local headquarters becomes a national focal point.

In its public response, Kenvue reiterated that acetaminophen remains the safest available option for fever and pain relief during pregnancy when medically indicated. The company added that the body of scientific evidence, spanning more than a decade and reviewed by health regulators and medical professionals worldwide, does not support a causal link between acetaminophen and autism. It also underscored that alternative medications, such as NSAIDs, carry their own fetal risks and are not routinely recommended during pregnancy.

The current discourse in Summit illustrates the broader tension between evolving scientific knowledge and public messaging in a highly scrutinized health landscape. While researchers continue to study autism’s causes, including genetics and potential environmental factors, the consensus among major health authorities remains that acetaminophen, when used as directed for fever and discomfort during pregnancy, is preferable to the risks associated with untreated fever. As the nation weighs new data and policymakers consider potential public health strategies, Summit’s residents and the company at its heart will remain a focal point for ongoing discussion about safety, science and the responsibilities of corporate leadership in shaping public perception.