The FSA is calling for proposals to carry out the review, which will examine whether advertising and other promotions for foods high in sugar, fat and salt are having a damaging effect on children's diets in the UK.

The agency then plans to work with industry to develop guidelines on best practice in labelling and promotion for the majority of foods aimed at children. These would be complementary to existing arrangements for regulating promotional activity.

The announcement is likely to be welcomed by lobby groups such as Sustain and The Food Commission. The latter launched a Parents Jury in April this year to urge food manufacturers and promoters to improve children's food and the way it is marketed. Earlier this week the jury criticised the promotion of food and drink high in sugar, fat and salt being promoted to children alongside football's World Cup and made a call for footballers to promote fruit instead.

The closing date for FSA research proposals is August 9. The FSA has set a timetable of March 2003 for researchers to report back with results.