French supermarkets suffer refrigerator shutdown after unprecedented cyberattack
Major French supermarket chains experienced a cyberattack that remotely triggered the defrosting of refrigeration systems, leading to significant food spoilage. The attack targeted legacy equipment from manufacturer Danfoss, raising broader concerns about food security and cybersecurity in retail.
Why it matters
The incident demonstrates the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and supply chains to cyberattacks, particularly when using outdated software.
Major French supermarket chains 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.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in