<p>Scattering and absorption are fundamental processes in optical engineering and applications. This study investigates the use of the food dye tartrazine to design refractive index fluids that enhance light propagation through scattering media. The optical properties of the solutions were carefully examined using spectrometry and ellipsometry under two extreme conditions, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive understanding of dye solutions. Additionally, we demonstrated using dye molecules to control light propagation through scattering media. Our findings highlight the potential of food dyes as cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternatives for future advancements in biomedical imaging, optical communication, and photonic devices.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>