Suspected cyber-attack sends supermarket freezer temps soaring across Europe

Supermarket freezers across Europe are in crisis mode after a suspected cyber-attack sent internal temperatures soaring, forcing the disposal of thousands of euros’ worth of stock. According to The Guardian ^[1], chains in Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg reported that fridge temperatures rose overnight, mirroring a disruptive hack in France that previously caused millions in losses.

The incident, which BBC News reported ^[2] affected around 40 Delhaize supermarkets and 15 Carrefour stores in Belgium, saw temperatures spike to as high as 50C (122F). A spokesperson for ICA in Sweden confirmed that several of its stores were impacted, with one branch in Sjöbo stating on social media that their freezers had been hacked and set to this tropical temperature. Seven of Sweden’s 800 Coop stores were also affected, though the company insisted the situation was contained.

In Belgium, the Dutch retailer Ahold Delhaize confirmed an “IT incident” had hit fridges and freezers in dozens of its supermarkets. Sarah De Meester, a company spokesperson, said the chain had established that cooling system temperatures had increased, according to The Guardian ^[1]. Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported that the affected outlets included Spar stores, Shop & Go convenience shops attached to Q8 stations, and Proxy Delhaize minimarkets.

Stephan Moelans, chief executive of Sabcobel, told Le Soir that technicians were mobilised at 1am and spent the entire night disconnecting affected installations from the grid. This event follows a large-scale attack in October where French police said hackers seized control of cooling units at up to 700 supermarkets. During that incident, the BBC noted ^[2] that settings were remotely overridden, pushing temperatures from -27C to well over 50C.

The French attack led to heavy losses of chilled and frozen foods, with individual stores reporting damages ranging from tens of thousands to more than €130,000. Two stores in Alsace alone reported a combined loss of €270,000. Because most supermarket cold aisles rely on internet connectivity for remote maintenance, hackers were able to exploit this feature by disabling alarms and adjusting thermostats. The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a formal investigation into the French attack, noting damage included food losses and fires. While the perpetrator of the latest European-wide disruption remains unidentified, the vulnerability of these internet-connected systems is once again under intense scrutiny.