Cyberattack targets French supermarket refrigeration systems

A widespread cyberattack hit multiple major French supermarket chains between October 11 and 12, 2026, causing significant damage to refrigerated food supplies. Hackers gained remote access to refrigeration control systems, allegedly exploiting software vulnerabilities from the Danish manufacturer Danfoss. By forcing constant defrosting cycles, the attackers spiked temperatures in some freezers to as high as 50 degrees Celsius, destroying large quantities of fresh and frozen goods.

The attack affected hundreds of retail locations, including over 300 stores under the Intermarché and Netto brands, approximately 100 Cooperative U stores, and several outlets of the E. Leclerc chain. The Paris Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the digital sabotage. While one source reported that the temperature spikes caused physical fires in some stores, the primary impact remains the widespread spoilage of food and financial losses reaching millions of euros.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has tasked the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) with investigating the incident. The government is currently coordinating with European partners due to fears that similar vulnerabilities might exist in other countries. EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, condemned the attack as a threat to food security. Authorities are actively working to determine the full scale of the breach and assess whether other companies remain at risk.