Cyberattack raises supermarket fridge temperatures to 50°C in France, spoiling food and causing fires

FRANCE: A large-scale cyberattack targeting connected refrigeration systems at supermarket chains across France reportedly caused temperatures in fridges and freezers to rise to as high as 50°C, resulting in spoiled food and fires at hundreds of stores.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation had been opened into the attack, which affected several major food retailers, including Intermarché, Coopérative U, Carrefour and Monoprix, according to France 24.

Supermarket chains report widespread disruption

Intermarché said between 150 and 200 of its stores had been targeted, while Coopérative U reported that almost 100 outlets were affected.

Intermarché told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the affected branches would have to discard all fresh and frozen products, adding to the food waste and financial losses caused by the incident.

Dominique Schelcher, chief executive of Coopérative U, described the attack as unprecedented.

In a post on X, he said the targeting of equipment essential to preserving fresh food and maintaining the food supply was “extremely serious” and unacceptable.

Carrefour said 80 of its supermarkets had been affected, although the retailer stressed that the vast majority of its approximately 6,000 stores remained unaffected.

Monoprix also confirmed that around 30 of its stores had been targeted.

Meanwhile, French broadcaster BFM TV reported that hackers had remotely triggered forced defrosting in refrigeration systems at stores belonging to E. Leclerc, France’s largest supermarket chain.

The extent of the disruption at Leclerc was not specified in the reports.

Refrigeration systems manipulated remotely

According to reports, the attackers remotely altered temperatures in connected refrigeration equipment, compromising the storage conditions required to preserve fresh and frozen food.

The incident reportedly resulted in significant stock losses and fires at several stores.

The full extent of the damage and the financial cost have not been disclosed.

Intermarché condemned the resulting food waste and financial losses, while warning that insurance policies might not cover this type of incident.

The attack highlights the potential consequences of cyberattacks targeting connected systems that support essential business operations, extending beyond digital disruption to physical damage and the loss of perishable goods.

French prosecutors open investigation

The Paris prosecutor’s office described the incident as a large-scale cyberattack affecting connected refrigerators at several major food retailers across France.

The investigation aims to identify the affected parties and establish links between the cyberattack, reported food losses and the outbreak of fires.

Authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the attack.