Major cyberattack targets cooling systems of French supermarket chains

During the night of October 11 to 12, 2026, a significant cyberattack targeted the refrigeration and cooling systems of major supermarket chains across France. The incident resulted in the widespread spoilage of fresh and frozen food, causing millions of euros in financial losses. Authorities, including the Paris prosecutor's office, have launched an investigation into this act of digital sabotage.

The perpetrators reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in legacy software produced by the Danish company Danfoss. By gaining remote access, they manipulated control settings to force continuous defrost cycles rather than simply shutting down the systems. This caused temperatures to spike dramatically, with some freezer displays recording heat as high as 26 degrees Celsius, while certain equipment settings were forced to 50 degrees Celsius. Affected retailers include approximately 150-200 Intermarche stores, nearly 100 Cooperative U locations, and outlets of E. Leclerc.

Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Cooperative U, described the incident as unprecedented and unacceptable, emphasizing the severe impact on the food supply chain. The investigation into the origin of the attack and the identification of the actors behind the sabotage is ongoing as companies work to restore their operational systems.