Cyberattack Disrupts Refrigeration in Supermarkets Across Six European Nations
A significant cyberattack has compromised refrigeration systems in supermarkets across six European countries, leading to widespread food spoilage.
Refrigeration systems in supermarkets in Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, and Finland were affected.
Temperatures in some freezers soared to 50°C, resulting in extensive food loss.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which follow a similar incident in France.
On November 2, 2026, a cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems in supermarkets across six European countries, including Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, and Finland. The incident caused temperatures in freezers to rise dramatically, leading to significant food spoilage and financial losses for the affected retailers.
Among the impacted chains, Ireland's SuperValu reported that 13 of its 223 stores experienced disruptions due to a cyber incident. The company stated that the issue was linked to a specific model of refrigeration equipment, prompting the removal of chilled and frozen products from sale. Musgrave, the parent company of SuperValu, is currently investigating the incident after being alerted by its monitoring systems.
In Sweden, supermarket chains ICA and Coop confirmed issues with their refrigeration systems. ICA reported that a limited number of outlets faced disruptions overnight, while Coop acknowledged that six of its stores were affected. One ICA store in Stockholm experienced particularly severe conditions, with freezer temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius. The store's sales manager indicated that the attack began around 2 am and was first detected at 5:30 am, resulting in the loss of all frozen goods.
Belgium also reported significant disruptions, with Carrefour confirming that 15 of its 700 stores were affected. The Colruyt Group's Spar stores also faced similar issues. Ahold Delhaize, operating in Belgium and Luxembourg, noted an IT incident impacting refrigeration systems in multiple stores. In Estonia, hackers raised the temperature of refrigeration units to 50 degrees Celsius at one supermarket, while Finland reported irregular temperatures in some stores.
These incidents follow a major cyberattack in France on October 12, which disrupted refrigeration systems in hundreds of supermarkets, resulting in the disposal of large quantities of perishable goods. Experts suggest that supermarket chains are attractive targets for cyberattacks due to their extensive networks of refrigeration and management systems. The European Commission has emphasized the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across the continent to prevent such disruptions in the future.
