Supermarkets have said Matt Hancock’s claim they will deliver food to those who are self-isolating over coronavirus fears was “totally made up”.
The health secretary said during a Question Time appearance on Thursday that the government was in talks with retailers about home deliveries.
“We are working with the supermarkets to make sure that, if people are self-isolating, then we will be able to get the food and supplies that they need,” he said.
However, supermarket sources have said they have not been involved in discussions.
“Matt Hancock has totally made up what he said about working with supermarkets,” one executive told the BBC. “We haven’t heard anything from government directly.”
They said sales of cupboard basics, such as pasta and tinned goods, had “gone through the roof”.
Teams were working “round the clock” to keep shelves stocked, he said, adding: “We are using processes and staffing levels we set up in case of a no-deal Brexit.”
The supermarket exec added: “While I think people don’t need to panic buy and should just shop normally, I’m not sure the government can guarantee all food supply in all instances.”
One senior executive accused Mr Hancock of lying and told The Times: “I am really angry about it.”
Another said the Department of Health had got in touch with his company for the first time on Friday.
A government spokesperson told the BBC that officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had regular meetings with the food industry to discuss risks to the supply chain.
