Cyberattack Disrupts Supermarket Refrigeration Across France
Hundreds of supermarkets across France have suffered a cyberattack that disrupted refrigeration systems, causing fresh and frozen food worth potentially millions of euros to spoil.
The attackers reportedly accessed the software controlling refrigeration units and forced some fridges and freezers to reach temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius overnight.
Coopérative U’s chief executive described the incident as an exceptionally serious and unprecedented attack. More than 100 of its supermarkets were reportedly affected, while at least 300 Intermarché and Netto stores also experienced disruptions, according to Agence France-Presse.
Other major retailers, including Carrefour, Monoprix and E.Leclerc, were also affected. The attack targeted refrigeration management software developed by Danish engineering company Danfoss, which enables retailers to control cooling equipment remotely.
Outdated Systems Linked to Security Vulnerabilities
Supermarket refrigeration units typically undergo brief overnight defrosting cycles, during which temperatures rise temporarily. However, the hackers reportedly manipulated the systems to maintain high temperatures for extended periods.
Danfoss said the affected equipment consisted of older refrigeration units that could not receive security software updates designed to address a previously identified vulnerability.
Although the overall impact remains uncertain, information released by individual retailers suggests approximately 500 stores were affected out of around 15,000 supermarkets across France.
Carrefour reported incidents at 80 of its approximately 6,000 stores. Monoprix said around five per cent of its more than 400 outlets were affected and that products were removed from sale whenever their safety could not be assured.
Retailers Discard Food and Assess Financial Damage
The Mousquetaires Group, which operates Intermarché and Netto, confirmed that some refrigeration displays remained unusable on Monday afternoon. The company said affected products had been removed as a precaution and that staff were working to replenish supplies.
Reuters reported that Intermarché’s refrigeration units had reached 50 degrees Celsius and remained at that temperature for six hours overnight. The retailer discarded all food exposed to the affected conditions to prevent potential health risks.
The disruption also produced unusual scenes at several stores, where employees encountered hot air coming from freezer sections. Some locations reportedly experienced small fires.
French broadcaster BFMTV published an image of an ice cream freezer displaying a temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius.
Two supermarkets in the Alsace region reported combined losses of €270,000, according to BFMTV. Given the number of affected outlets, the total financial damage across France could reach millions of euros.
The incident has highlighted the potential consequences of cybersecurity weaknesses in retail infrastructure, particularly when digital systems control equipment essential to food safety.
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