Large-scale cyberattack targets French supermarket refrigeration systems

A widespread cyberattack hit France overnight on October 12, 2026, targeting the refrigeration systems of hundreds of supermarkets. Hackers remotely manipulated the control units, manufactured by Danish firm Danfoss, to force a continuous defrost cycle that elevated temperatures to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F) for approximately six hours. The incident resulted in significant food spoilage, forcing retailers to discard all fresh produce to prevent sanitary risks.

Major retailers, including Les Mousquetaires, which operates Intermarche, reported that roughly 150 of its locations were affected. Cooperative U CEO Dominique Schelcher also confirmed his stores were hit, describing the act as one of extreme gravity. While the exact financial toll remains under assessment, industry sources cited by BFMTV suggest losses could reach several million euros.

In response, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has tasked the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) with conducting an investigation. The French government is currently coordinating with European partners to determine if other nations are at risk and to evaluate the security of other critical French infrastructure.