Well, sort of, but not really. Actually, the additive most authors warn us about is nitrate vs nitrite (NO3 vs NO2). Nitrite (or amyl-nitrite) is known as a recreational drug called a popper. Both nitrite and nitrate are used as heart medications. The food additive is sodium nitrate (and also sodium nitrite is used, I believe). Here are a couple of links to the Medical and food usages.