At its board meeting, members were told the decision should be reversed because of risks to do with misinterpretation or presentation of incomplete data.
The plan was that FSA would release results, including names of retailers and processors, of testing of around 1,000 samples every three months, with the first results published around June/July.
Which?, the consumer watchdog, expressed ‘grave concerns’ before the decision was finalised yesterday.
The eight members of the board were divided, so Tim Bennett, chairman, halted the plans to name companies.
Meanwhile an investigation by the UK newspaper The Guardian has prompted three supermarkets to take action on alleged hygiene failings in chicken supplies.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer are taking action following undercover footage, photographic evidence and information from whistleblowers.