Hackers Disable Freezers Across Hundreds of French Supermarkets, Prompting Food Waste
Cyber attackers forced the defrost systems of many French grocery stores to run, shutting down refrigeration units and forcing retailers to discard perishable goods.
Hundreds of supermarkets across France suffered a coordinated cyber-attack that triggered the defrost mechanisms of their refrigeration and freezer units, according to Paris prosecutors. The breach affected large retailers, including Intermarché and its Netto stores, leading to the loss of fresh and frozen inventory as the cold chains collapsed. Dominique Schelcher, head of Coopérative U, described the event as "extremely serious" and without precedent, emphasizing the operational disruption.
EU agricultural commissioner Christophe Hansen also condemned the act, stating that food-safety concerns must be addressed at all levels. Authorities are investigating the perpetrators, while the affected chains work to restore normal operations and assess the financial impact of the wasted goods.
Why it matters
The attack threatens food safety, causes significant waste, and highlights vulnerabilities in retail supply-chain cyber-security.
How this story developed
- Oct 12 Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration systems at Intermarché and Coopérative U stores
- Oct 12 The attack specifically exploits outdated Danfoss software versions older than version 4.
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