Original plans to close seven of the 13 facilities came under fire from industry, consumers and politicians alike, all concerned with food safety, especially in light of the spate of scares in recent years.

The incidents have drawn attention to the agency's low rate of food inspections and prompted calls in Congress for more aggressive surveillance of imported goods, especially from China.

Earlier this month, FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach said closures were to be put on hold until after the presidential panel reports its findings, which are due September 17.

The decision in advance of the reporting of their findings indicates a change in the FDA's strategy has already been made.

FDA, which oversees about 80 per cent of foods uses field labs inspect and analyze food, drugs, medical devices, and other health products, as well as animal feed and medicines, for contamination.

Streamlining operations was seen as move towards risk-based assessments of food safety, which is part of the long-awaited 2002 Import Strategic Plan.

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which represents about 5,200 FDA workers, 600 of them lab employees, argued that the closures could lead to the loss of crucial personnel and a reduction in food safety.

Meanwhile, the decision to reverse the plans has been left open, with future changes not ruled out.