French supermarkets suffer fridge shutdown after 'unprecedented' cyberattack
Major French supermarket chains were hit by a coordinated cyberattack that remotely disabled refrigeration systems, causing significant food spoilage. The attack targeted legacy equipment from supplier Danfoss, prompting concerns about food security and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on critical physical infrastructure and the potential for digital breaches to cause tangible economic and food security crises.
French supermarkets suffer refrigerator shutdown after 'unprecedented' cyberattack Aurélie CARABIN Mon, 12 October 2026 at 11:38 pm GMT+8 3 min read Intermarche was one of the groups affected (Gabriel BOUYS) Major French supermarket chains on Monday said they were hit by a cyberattack that caused their refrigerators to shoot up in temperature in hundreds of stores, forcing spoiled food to be thrown away and raising concerns about food security.
Top retailers E. Leclerc, Intermarche and Cooperative U confirmed to AFP they suffered a cyberattack that Cooperative U's chief executive described as "unprecedented".
"Food security requires more attention at all levels," said the EU's food and agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen on X, condemning the attack and saying such "exploitation of food" was now a "reality".
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