Hundreds of supermarkets across France have been affected by a major cyberattack that disrupted refrigeration systems, causing fresh and frozen food to spoil, potentially resulting in millions of euros in losses, according to the BBC.
The hackers reportedly gained control of software used to regulate refrigeration temperatures, causing some units to reach 50°C overnight.
Around 400 supermarkets were affected, including outlets operated by major retailers Carrefour, Intermarché, Netto, Monoprix and Coopérative U.
Intermarché reported that some refrigeration units remained at temperatures as high as 50°C for six hours, forcing the retailer to discard affected food to prevent potential health risks.
The attack targeted refrigeration management software supplied by Danish engineering company Danfoss, which enables supermarkets to monitor and control cooling systems remotely. Danfoss said the affected equipment consisted of older models whose security software could no longer be updated to address identified vulnerabilities.
Two supermarkets in France’s Alsace region alone reported losses estimated at €270,000. The full financial impact remains unclear, although nationwide losses could reach millions of euros.
Some stores also reported small fires, while employees arriving for work discovered unusually high temperatures around refrigeration units.
French prosecutors have launched a cybercrime investigation into the incident, describing it as a large-scale attack affecting several major food retail chains.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen condemned the incident, warning that food security required greater attention as the weaponisation of food had become a reality.
Supermarket operators are working with refrigeration specialists to restore affected systems and replace spoiled products.
The incident has renewed concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities in essential infrastructure, particularly systems connected to the internet.
Make the headline more neutralClarify the 50°C refrigeration detail
