I got a call back this evening from the lady at the board of health and she told me to hold on to the jars just in case they need to test the peanut butter. She said that mostly the concern is with Peter Pan, but that Great Value IS made in the same plant. She said if there were any changes it would be announced on the news but took the codes and dates off the jar lids from me.
I told her that until I'd heard the thing about the peanut butter, I'd just assumed I'd picked up a bug when we were out to eat (someone not washing hands then touching spoons etc?) at the grocery from the shopping cart or even on the bus. I did tell her that I'd had salmonella many years ago and that I'd told my husband I'd never felt that sick since that salmonella. I told her that we'd eaten more than half the jar too and she said that often the bacteria may not be distributed evenly through the peanut butter.
If any of you have been sick and DO have the peanut butter in your home, first call your doctor's office and report the possible case, if you get sick and have symptoms and have the peanut butter in your house, go to your doctor ER and get tested. If you've already been sick after calling your doctor, call and report to your local board of health.
It IS all across the country. I told her that I'd mentioned this on several boards and that many of you had said that you'd been sick as well. Good luck to all.