French supermarkets suffer refrigerator shutdown after unprecedented cyberattack
Major French supermarket chains have been hit by a cyberattack that remotely disabled refrigeration systems, leading to significant food spoilage. The attack targeted legacy equipment from the manufacturer Danfoss, raising broader concerns about the security of critical food supply infrastructure.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the vulnerability of industrial IoT and legacy infrastructure to cyberattacks, with direct consequences for food security.
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".
At least 300 shops of Intermarche or its Netto brand were targeted, along with over 100 Cooperative U outlets, and several E. Leclerc stores, the retailers told AFP in separate statements.
Paris prosecutors confirmed the attack, which reportedly also hit other major chains, and also indicated it had sparked fires.
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