Cyberattack hits French supermarkets, spoiling food stocks

AI-generated briefing · First published 2026-10-12 18:55:32 UTC

Hackers remotely defrosted refrigeration systems at over 400 French stores, forcing chains to discard fresh and frozen goods.

Hackers remotely triggered forced defrosting of refrigeration systems at 150-200 Intermarche stores, nearly 100 Cooperative U outlets and other major chains including Leclerc, spoiling fresh and frozen products and prompting fires at some locations, Paris prosecutors confirmed. [1] [2] [3]

Cooperative U CEO Dominique Schelcher called the attack "unprecedented" and "unacceptable," while Danfoss said affected units ran outdated firmware; French authorities have tasked ANSSI with the probe. [1] [2] [3]

Sources

1. Cyberattack shuts down French supermarket refrigerators

   France 24 English · 2026-10-12 11:53:41 UTC · Full text

2. 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

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

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

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