SAN DIEGO - Lisa Wright, regulatory affairs manager for Jack in the Box Inc., has been elected vice chair for the national 2004 Conference for Food Protection, a nonprofit, FDA-sanctioned group of regulators, industry officials, academics and consumers. Wrights position is the highest post available to a non-government representative at the Conference.

In her leadership role, Wright will co-direct the activities of the biennial conference, which helps effect the food-safety policies of such agencies as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Among their responsibilities, Wright and other conference members will recommend changes to the FDA Food Code, a manual incorporating the latest scientific findings on food and food service.

A 25-year veteran of Jack in the Box®, Wright is responsible for helping individual states adopt the FDAs most up-to-date, science-based food-safety standards. The state of Oregon recently honored Wright for her contributions as an advisor to its Department of Human Services.

"Lisas involvement in the conference is not only a well-deserved honor for her, but also a wonderful opportunity for Jack in the Box," said David Theno, Ph.D., senior vice president of quality and logistics for the company. "Our food-safety program is recognized as one of the best in the industry, and her leadership role at the conference will allow the company to be a greater force for change in food-safety laws and policies."

Founded in 1951, Jack in the Box Inc. (NYSE: JBX) is the nations first major drive-thru hamburger chain. The San Diego-based company operates or franchises more than 1,820 quick-serve restaurants in 16 states and has 43,000 employees.