A commonly used food coloring can make the skin of a living mouse transparent, allowing scientists to see its organs function, according to a new study.

New research demonstrates that the dye that gives nacho cheese its yellow-orange color can also make mouse skin see-through.

Scientists say they've used a common food dye to render the skin of a mouse transparent, revealing the workings of blood vessels and organs underneath.

Researchers at Stanford University made the skin of mice transparent using the yellow no. 5 food dye, otherwise known as tartrazine, that's typically found on Doritos.

The synthetic dye is frequently used in orange- or yellow-colored snack chips, candy coating, ice cream and baked goods.

The ingredients that make the colors of many foods pop are on the chopping block in some states. West Virginia just banned several artificial food dyes – like Red 40 and Yellow 5 – due to ...

The ban affects dyes Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2 and Orange B, which have long been used to enhance the visual appeal of processed foods.

FD&C Yellow 5 absorbs blue light strongly, which yields its characteristic orange-to-red color when dissolved in water.