Supermarkets have drawn up "feed the nation" plans to cope with panic buying if the coronavirus crisis deepens, it is believed.
Big chains will dramatically cut back on the range of products available and focus on staple products.
It comes amid fears of food riots if panicked Brits are unable to get hold of basic supplies.
Retail expert Bruno Monteyne said: "With tight supply chains, if a major outbreak happens, that will quickly lead to panic buying, empty shelves and food riots."
He warned that supermarkets would see their profits hit by the disruption.
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In a note to investors he said: “Yes, it will be chaotic (and expect pictures of empty shelves) but the industry will reduce complexity to keep the country fed.”
Monteyne added that Tesco has practised “multiday simulation” exercises, the Guardian reports.
He said food prices are unlikely to rise as “food retailers cannot be seen to be profiteering at a moment of crisis” but the sector could stand to lose around £1.2bn in profits.
In the case of severe food shortages, Monteyne said the army would be called in to “to protect depots, food trucks and stores”.
Meanwhile, Ocado has advised customers to place orders further in advance because of "exceptionally high demand".
Ocado, a pioneer in online food shopping, e-mailed some customers on Friday to warn of high demand for its delivery service.
"More people than usual seem to be placing particularly large orders. As a result, delivery slots are selling out quicker than expected," it said.
The company advised customers to place orders further in advance than they might normally.
It also asked customers to book weekday delivery (Monday to Thursday) rather than weekends if they are able to be flexible.
Iceland has also noticed customers are stocking up on frozen food.
Managing director Nigel Broadhurst said: Sales of frozen food have seen notable increases and we have noticed a trend towards customers selecting multibuy deals and larger packs.”
Boris Johnson said yesterday that the country needed to be prepared for the coronavirus to spread further and would announce its "battle plan" for responding to the outbreak later today.
Confirmed cases in the UK have risen to 40.
