Cyber attack Hits Hundreds of French Supermarkets

A cyber attack targeting refrigeration systems has disrupted around 500 supermarkets across France, causing food spoilage and raising concerns about financial losses that could reach millions of euros.

Several major supermarket chains reported disruptions, including Coopérative U, Intermarché and Netto. Carrefour, Monoprix and E.Leclerc also experienced problems linked to the incident. As a result, affected stores faced challenges keeping food at safe temperatures.

The cyber attack targeted software used to manage refrigeration equipment supplied by Danish company Danfoss. Some older units could not receive updated security software, which may have left them vulnerable to the incident.

In some cases, refrigeration temperatures reportedly reached 50 degrees Celsius. Consequently, supermarkets had to discard food that could no longer be safely stored. The incident has created significant financial concerns for affected retailers.

Two supermarkets in the Alsace region reported combined losses of approximately €270,000. However, the overall cost could be much higher, with estimates suggesting that losses across affected stores may reach millions of euros.

French prosecutors have opened a cybercrime investigation to examine the incident. Investigators will look into how the attackers gained control of the refrigeration systems and what weaknesses may have contributed to the disruption.

Meanwhile, European Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen condemned the incident. Dominique Schelcher, chief executive of Coopérative U, also called for an investigation.

The attack highlights the risks businesses face when cyber criminals target systems that support everyday operations. Although refrigeration software helps supermarkets manage food storage, a disruption can quickly lead to wasted products and unexpected expenses.

As the investigation continues, affected retailers must assess the damage and address the disruption. The incident also raises questions about the security of older equipment that cannot receive software updates.