— Kenvue Inc. shares fell after the Wall Street Journal reported that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is likely to say a federal study links acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to autism; the report is expected this month.
Key Takeaways
- The Wall Street Journal reported that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may link acetaminophen to autism.
- Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, saw its shares decline on the report.
- The federal findings are expected to be released in September 2025, according to the report.
- The Journal cited unnamed people familiar with the matter; HHS described the coverage as speculation.
- The potential link concerns acetaminophen use, not a specific Kenvue manufacturing practice.
- Scientific consensus on acetaminophen and autism remains unsettled and under study.
Verified Facts
On September 5, 2025, media outlets reported that a federal review on autism and possible causes will be published this month. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the situation, said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is likely to state that use of over-the-counter pain relievers containing acetaminophen may be associated with autism.
Kenvue Inc., the consumer-health company behind the Tylenol brand, experienced a drop in its share price after the Journal’s report. Public trading data shows a market reaction consistent with investor concern, though this summary does not provide a specific price or percentage change.
The Department of Health and Human Services has responded to the media coverage, calling the published report “speculation,” and has not released the formal findings at the time of this article. The federal report referenced by the Journal is reported to be due in September 2025.
Context & Impact
Market impact: Pharmaceutical and consumer-health stocks can be sensitive to regulatory or safety findings. A formal federal statement linking an ingredient to a developmental condition could prompt investor reassessment and potential legal, regulatory, or public relations actions for makers of products containing that ingredient.
Public health and research context: Acetaminophen has been the subject of epidemiological studies examining prenatal and early-life exposure. Results to date have been mixed, and researchers caution that observational studies show associations that do not prove causation.
Consumer implications: If federal authorities issue guidance or labeling changes, clinicians and consumers may face new recommendations for the use of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy or in young children. Any such policy change would likely proceed through public-health review and implementation steps.
We regard published accounts as speculative until formal findings are released.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Unconfirmed
- Whether the final federal report will definitively state a causal link between acetaminophen and autism remains unconfirmed.
- The scope of products, specific age groups, and recommended regulatory actions have not been published.
- Details relied on unnamed sources in the Wall Street Journal report and have not been independently confirmed by HHS at publication time.
Bottom Line
The market reaction reflects investor concern after a major newspaper reported that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may state a link between acetaminophen and autism in a federal study expected this month. The department has characterized the media coverage as speculative; stakeholders should await the formal report and peer-reviewed evidence before drawing firm conclusions.