Scientists have found that an ingredient widely used in toothpaste and a range of food products can cause cancer.

The additive, titanium oxide, caused precancerous growths in 40 percent of rats that drank water containing the chemical. According to the researchers from France and Luxembourg, titanium oxide sped up the development of these growths.

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The growths are not malignant but can develop into more dangerous forms of cancer.

Titanium oxide, which is also referred to as E171, is widely used in sweets, chocolate, biscuits, and chewing gum. Titanium oxide is also used in toothpaste and sunscreen, and also to whiten products or make them look more opaque.

In previous research, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that titanium oxide could cause cancer.

However, this is the first time that titanium oxide, which is also used in products such as paint, has been linked to cancer when consumed orally.

In the latest study, researchers discovered that titanium oxide is absorbed by the intestine and passed into the blood, where it then spreads to the other parts of the body.

Precancerous growths were discovered in the colon or intestine of 40 percent of the rats exposed to the chemical.

The rats that were given uncontaminated water did not have the growths.

Titanium oxide was also found to weaken the rats' immune system.

It is not yet clear whether titanium oxide might have similar effects on humans. Scientists say that their findings "cannot be extrapolated in humans."

While the scientists have said that they are yet to prove that titanium oxide can cause cancer in humans, the French government has ordered an inquiry into the safety of the chemical.

The inquiry will take place as part of a wider investigation into the impact of nano-materials on health.

"A study carried out by the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and published today shows that oral exposure to titanium oxide (E171), the additive used particularly in the agri-food industry, is likely to result in effects on health," a joint statement by the French ministries of the economy, health, and agriculture said.

The statement went on to say that the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety had been tasked to determine whether titanium oxide presents a potential hazard to consumers.

The results of the investigation will be published by the end of March.