A large-scale cyber attack targeting software used to manage refrigeration systems has crippled supermarket operations across France. The incident allowed hackers to seize control of temperature-regulating software, causing freezers and fridges to heat up significantly overnight. In some instances, units reached temperatures as high as 50C (120F), leading to the widespread spoilage of fresh and frozen food stocks. Normally, supermarket freezers go through a short period of defrosting overnight, in which temperatures rise slightly. According to but the hackers ordered the units to heat up and stay hot, although Danfoss did not confirm any, About just how warm the fridges and freezers could become in that process. French broadcaster BFMTV published an image showing a freezer in an ice cream aisle displaying a temperature of 26.5C.
Retailers identified the source of the issue as software provided by the Danish engineering firm Danfoss, which is used for remote management of cold storage units. The firm explained that the affected infrastructure consisted of older models that lacked the capacity for security updates. Danfoss noted that it has consistently advised businesses to maintain up-to-date systems to mitigate known risks, emphasizing that ensuring reliable refrigeration remains a priority for their clients. And we remain committed to supporting our customers and helping them maintain secure and reliable systems they are used to, reliable refrigeration is critical to our customers’ operations.
The impact was widespread, affecting approximately 400 stores out of the roughly 15,000 retail locations nationwide. Coopérative U reported that more than 100 of its supermarkets were hit by what its chief executive, Dominique Schelcher, described as an “extremely serious and unprecedented” assault. Intermarché and its sister brand, Netto, saw 180 stores suffer similar failures, with another 100 locations preemptively disconnected from the internet to prevent further damage. Other major chains, including Carrefour, Monoprix, and E.Leclerc, also confirmed security breaches. While 180 stores from Intermarché and its Netto brand were affected, with a spokesman saying that another 100 shops were urgently disconnected from the internet to prevent the same thing happening to them, more than 100 of the chain’s supermarkets were targeted. According to carrefour, Fridges in 80 of its 6,000 stores were hacked, while Monoprix said 5% of its 400-plus stores had been hit, with food removed from sale if its condition could not be guaranteed. According to intermarché, Its fridges had heated up to 50C for six hours overnight into Monday, and the retailer had thrown away all the affected food to avoid health risks, the Reuters news agency reported.
Financial losses are mounting as retailers count the cost of destroyed inventory. Two supermarkets in the Alsace region alone reported damages totaling €270,000 (£228,000), suggesting that total nationwide losses could reach into the millions of euros. Beyond the financial impact, the incident caused operational chaos, with staff discovering freezing units venting hot air upon arrival Monday morning and, in some cases, reporting small fires caused by the malfunctioning equipment.
French prosecutors have launched a specific investigation into the breach, which the Paris prosecutor’s office labeled a major attack on essential food retail infrastructure. European Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen condemned the incident, highlighting the severity of the threat in a social media post, warning that the “weaponisation of food has become a reality.”
Retailers are currently scrambling to stabilize their facilities. Staff members are coordinating with refrigeration experts to restore normal operations while performing the necessary task of clearing affected products from shelves to ensure consumer safety. Dominique Schelcher described the targeting of essential food supply infrastructure as “unacceptable” and joined calls for a comprehensive investigation.
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- Inquiries regarding the investigation: French judicial authorities
- Experience reporting: Readers affected by the incident are encouraged to share their experiences
- Operational status: Retailers are working to restock and verify safety standards
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