Supermarkets across several European countries have reported major disruptions to refrigeration and freezer systems following suspected cyberattacks, with temperatures in some units reportedly rising to 50°C and forcing stores to discard spoiled food.
The incidents, reported on Monday (02), affected supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland and Estonia, while similar attacks were reported in France last month. Additional incidents have been reported in Finland and the Netherlands.
In Sweden, supermarket chains ICA and Coop reported refrigeration failures at several outlets. At an ICA store in Sjöbo, southern Sweden, temperatures in refrigerators and freezers were reportedly changed remotely to 50°C, leaving food products unsuitable for sale.
Coop confirmed that six of its stores were affected, while Sweden’s national cybersecurity centre said it was responding to multiple incidents involving supermarket cooling systems.
In Belgium, supermarket operator Delhaize reported disruptions at dozens of stores across Belgium and neighbouring Luxembourg. Carrefour confirmed that 15 of its Belgian outlets were affected, while five Spar stores also experienced refrigeration problems.
Some affected supermarkets temporarily removed fresh and frozen products from sale, although distribution centres and deliveries continued operating normally.
In Ireland, supermarket chain SuperValu confirmed that refrigeration systems at 13 stores had been affected by a cyber incident, prompting the removal of chilled and frozen products.
Estonia also reported an attack involving a supermarket refrigeration control system. Technology supplier Kitman Coldtech said attackers gained access to a computer controlling cooling temperatures and raised them to 50°C. The incident was resolved within minutes, with no significant damage reported.
Reports from Finland and the Netherlands have also emerged, although the extent of the latest disruptions in those countries remains unclear. Dutch supermarket operator Ahold Delhaize had separately reported a cybersecurity incident to police in the Netherlands in October.
The latest incidents follow a large-scale cyberattack in France in October, when hackers reportedly gained remote access to refrigeration systems at hundreds of supermarkets.
Temperatures in some French cooling units were raised to more than 50°C, resulting in extensive food losses and fires at some locations. Supermarket chains including Carrefour, Intermarché, Monoprix and Leclerc were among those affected.
The incidents have raised concerns about the security of internet-connected refrigeration systems, which allow operators to monitor temperatures and carry out maintenance remotely.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen described the attacks as an attempt to disrupt food supplies and undermine public confidence. (Newswire)
