Cyberattack hits hundreds of French supermarkets, spoiling food

AI-generated briefing · First published 2026-10-13 13:25:48 UTC

Hackers remotely defrosted refrigeration systems at over 400 stores, forcing chains to discard fresh and frozen goods and prompting a Paris probe.

Overnight Sunday to Monday, hackers remotely triggered forced defrost cycles on Danfoss refrigeration systems at roughly 150-200 Intermarché stores, more than 100 Cooperative U outlets, about 80 Carrefour stores and several Monoprix and Leclerc locations, raising temperatures to 50 °C for hours and spoiling tons of food. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Paris prosecutors opened an investigation after fires were reported at some sites; Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu tasked ANSSI with the probe and is coordinating with other EU states. [2] [3]

Cooperative U CEO Dominique Schelcher called the attack “unprecedented” and “unacceptable”; EU Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen said exploitation of food supply is now “a reality.” [1] [2] [3]

Sources

1. 法国数百家超市遭遇网络攻击 制冷系统遭破坏

   RFI Chinese · 2026-10-12 13:55:01 UTC · Full text

2. Hundreds of French supermarkets hit by a cyberattack that defrosted refrigeration systems

   DW English · 2026-10-12 18:15:00 UTC · Full text

3. ‘Unprecedented’ cyberattack hits French supermarkets, causing food losses

   Al Jazeera · 2026-10-13 02:37:10 UTC · Full text

4. 黑客入侵法国数百家超市制冷系统，部分冷藏设备被调高至 50°C 导致食品变质、火灾发生

   ITHome · 2026-10-13 08:05:55 UTC · Summary only

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