Tylenol controversy puts Summit on national health spotlight

Summit, N.J. — A quiet, affluent commuter town about 40 minutes from Manhattan became a focal point in a national debate on Tylenol after former President Donald Trump urged pregnant women not to take the over-the-counter pain reliever, suggesting a link to autism in children whose mothers used it. The remarks amplified a long-running, unsettled discussion about acetaminophen and developmental outcomes.

Tylenol is produced by Kenvue, the company that relocated its headquarters to Summit earlier this year. While some studies have suggested a possible link between acetaminophen and higher rates of autism, larger, more robust research has found no credible connection. Health authorities continue to regard the drug as safe for pregnant women when medically necessary.

Reaction on the ground was mixed. In Summit, locals expressed curiosity, skepticism, and anger about Trump’s remarks. At a CVS Pharmacy near Kenvue's headquarters, an elderly man told a reporter that Trump was dismissive, while noting his wife took Tylenol during pregnancies and their children are fine. Others described concern about potential health implications and frustration with headlines sweeping the nation. Medical professionals cautioned that a fever during pregnancy can pose risks to the fetus if left untreated, and that acetaminophen remains the safer option when fever relief is needed.

Dr. Salena Zanotti, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said that treating fever is essential and that, overall, acetaminophen is viewed as the safest pain reliever for pregnant women when used as directed. She noted that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil or Aleve can carry risks to fetal development, and that the balance of risks often favors treating fever.

National data show a rising autism prevalence in the United States, with recent estimates placing the rate at about 1 in 31 children, compared with roughly 1 in 150 in 2000. Experts note that broader definitions and improved screening contribute to higher reported rates, though some advocacy voices have pointed to environmental factors and other variables. RFK Jr. has argued that toxins may play a role in the increasing prevalence, a view that some researchers and public health officials say is not supported by conclusive evidence.

Summit context: Kenvue moved its headquarters from Skillman, New Jersey to Summit in March 2025, occupying a new campus described as a 290,000-square-foot hub for marketing, research and development, artificial intelligence, legal, communications, and operations. The company employs about 22,000 workers worldwide as of 2024. Tylenol is not produced at the Summit site; the facility oversees the brand and other products, with production sites located in Pennsylvania, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

In response to the controversy, Kenvue reiterated that independent science shows no link between acetaminophen and autism and emphasized the drug's safety for pregnant women when used as directed. The company said it would continue to monitor scientific findings and defend the health interests of mothers and children.