Cyberattack Overheats Refrigerators at Hundreds of French Supermarkets

Hackers targeted hundreds of French supermarkets in a cyberattack that disrupted refrigeration systems, spoiled food and sparked fires, exposing the physical risks of attacks on connected retail infrastructure.

Refrigerators and freezers at multiple chains, including Carrefour, Monoprix, Intermarché and Coopérative U, reportedly reached temperatures as high as 122°F overnight. The failures affected equipment used to preserve fresh products across several stores.

Coopérative U CEO Dominique Schelcher confirmed that cyberattacks had hit refrigeration production facilities at multiple locations. He described attacks on equipment essential to food preservation and supply as serious and unprecedented.

European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen condemned the attack and warned that food security requires greater attention. The incident also affected supermarket operations beyond France, with disruptions reported in Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium.