Which supermarkets are under cyberattack threats across European countries? Supermarkets across Europe experienced major refrigeration failures on November 2, 2026, following suspected cyberattacks that caused freezer temperatures to rise sharply, forcing retailers to discard large quantities of food. The incidents affected stores in Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Ireland and several other countries, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in digitally controlled refrigeration systems, News.Az reports. Around 40 Delhaize supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg were affected, alongside several ICA and Coop stores in Sweden and 13 SuperValu outlets in Ireland. Additional disruptions were reported in Estonia, Finland and the Netherlands. At one Swedish supermarket, freezer temperatures were reportedly remotely adjusted to 50°C (122°F), making stored food potentially unsafe. The incidents followed similar attacks on hundreds of refrigeration systems in France in October, although investigators have not established whether the events were connected. How did hackers reportedly gain control of supermarket refrigeration systems? The incidents appear to have involved unauthorized access to digital systems responsible for monitoring and regulating commercial refrigeration equipment. Modern supermarket freezers increasingly rely on internet-connected controllers that allow operators and maintenance companies to monitor temperatures, receive technical alerts and adjust settings remotely. These systems form part of operational technology infrastructure, which connects software networks with physical equipment such as compressors, thermostats and ventilation systems. When improperly secured, remote access functions can provide attackers with opportunities to manipulate equipment settings without physically entering a store. At an ICA supermarket in Sjöbo, southern Sweden, employees reported that refrigeration temperatures had been changed to 50°C, far above levels suitable for frozen food storage. Investigators have not publicly established the exact intrusion method behind all the incidents. Some affected retailers used refrigeration control technology supplied by Danish manufacturer Danfoss, but the use of a common supplier does not establish that its systems were the original entry point. The incidents demonstrate how interference with digital controls can directly affect physical retail operations. Which European supermarkets were affected, and how extensive was the damage? The disruption affected multiple European supermarket chains, with damage varying significantly between locations. In Belgium and Luxembourg, approximately 40 Delhaize stores experienced refrigeration problems, while Carrefour reported disruptions at around 15 of its Belgian outlets. Sweden's ICA and Coop chains also reported incidents. Coop confirmed problems at seven stores, while ICA described the number of affected branches as limited. In Ireland, refrigeration systems at 13 SuperValu supermarkets were affected, prompting precautionary removal of chilled and frozen products. Retailers in Estonia, Finland and the Netherlands also reported refrigeration irregularities or related technical incidents. The financial consequences were substantial for some businesses. A Delhaize supermarket in Hoeilaart, Belgium, estimated that approximately €100,000 worth of products had been lost, excluding additional revenue losses from temporary closure. A Belgian butcher also reported approximately €15,000 in spoiled meat. Although local reports indicated that losses across affected businesses could reach millions of euros, a comprehensive financial assessment was not immediately available. Several retailers subsequently restored normal refrigeration operations and began restocking their shelves. Why did temperatures rise to 50°C, and what are the food safety risks? The reported increase in freezer temperatures to 50°C represents a serious disruption because frozen food generally needs to be maintained at approximately −18°C to preserve its quality and safety. Refrigerated foods, including fresh meat, dairy products and prepared meals, also require controlled temperatures to limit bacterial growth. When refrigeration systems malfunction, food can enter temperature ranges that allow harmful microorganisms to multiply more rapidly. The potential consequences depend on how long products remain outside safe storage conditions, their composition and the temperatures actually reached. A freezer controller showing 50°C does not necessarily mean every food item inside immediately reaches that temperature. However, sustained heating or loss of cooling can make products unsuitable for sale. Retailers therefore often remove potentially compromised products rather than risk selling food whose storage history cannot be verified. The incidents also create substantial logistical challenges, including disposal, cleaning, equipment inspection and restocking. Food safety assessments are particularly important when refrigeration failures affect perishable products distributed through large supermarket networks. Are the latest incidents connected to earlier cyberattacks in France? The November incidents followed a similar wave of attacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems in France on October 12, 2026. During the earlier disruption, hundreds of supermarkets and independent food retailers experienced unauthorized temperature changes that damaged refrigerated products. Some reports also described equipment overheating and fires associated with the French incidents. The similarities have prompted questions about whether the same attackers, technical vulnerabilities or methods were involved. However, no publicly confirmed investigation has established a direct connection between the French attacks and the latest incidents across Europe. Cybersecurity specialists have identified remotely accessible refrigeration controllers, particularly older systems with insufficient protection, as possible points of vulnerability. Some affected Swedish retailers reported using equipment from suppliers associated with the earlier French incidents, although this alone does not prove a common origin. No individual or organization had publicly claimed responsibility for the broader attacks. Authorities must examine technical evidence, including access records, network activity and compromised devices, before determining whether the incidents represent a coordinated campaign. Could these attacks threaten Europe's food supply chains and cybersecurity? The incidents highlight an emerging cybersecurity concern involving the increasingly interconnected systems used in food retail, storage and distribution. Unlike conventional attacks focused primarily on stealing information, interference with refrigeration controls can cause immediate physical and financial damage. Supermarkets depend on continuous temperature regulation to protect perishable goods, meaning even relatively brief disruptions can force businesses to discard inventory. If similar incidents affected large warehouses, distribution centers or refrigerated transportation networks, the consequences could extend beyond individual stores. Belgium's and Sweden's national cybersecurity authorities have been monitoring developments, while affected businesses have worked to restore equipment and investigate the causes. Cybersecurity experts generally recommend restricting unnecessary remote access, updating vulnerable controllers, using strong authentication and separating operational systems from ordinary corporate networks. Independent temperature monitoring and manual safety procedures can also help retailers detect abnormal conditions. Although the November incidents have not demonstrated a Europe-wide food shortage, they show how weaknesses in connected industrial equipment can disrupt essential commercial services and generate substantial economic losses.

Cyberattacks disrupt over 100 supermarkets across Europe. A series of cyberattacks disrupted over 100 supermarkets across Europe, raising concerns about food safety and operational risks in the supply chain. Remarkably, over 100 supermarkets across several European nations experienced significant refrigeration failures attributed to a series of cyberattacks. From Sunday night into Monday morning, the temperature in fridges and freezers at various locations soared dangerously high, sparking concerns about the impact on food safety and supply. This wave of attacks appears closely linked to similar incidents that unfolded just three weeks earlier, drawing a concerning parallel that may indicate a larger, orchestrated campaign. Reports confirm that retailers in Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden were among the hardest hit, with some refrigeration units reportedly reaching temperatures as high as 50°C (122°F). Additionally, disturbances were also observed as far away as Finland, Italy, and Portugal. While no group has claimed responsibility for these attacks, the pattern is starkly reminiscent of earlier breaches that saw about 700 supermarkets in France fall victim overnight from October 11-12. These initial attacks forced major grocery chains, including Intermarché, Carrefour, and others, into a state of crisis, leading to substantial food spoilage and, in some instances, fires within the stores. The French cyber incident response team, CERT-FR, promptly associated these compromises with vulnerabilities in specific models of Danfoss refrigeration controllers, only to discover later that similar issues existed with Copeland and Dixell systems as well. Danfoss has since commented that many of the targeted units were outdated legacy products and not subject to ongoing security patches. Stephan Moelans, CEO of an influential Belgian refrigeration company, highlighted that the cyberattackers exploited the devices by directing their evaporators to enter defrost mode - a tactic seen previously in the French attacks. This assertion reinforces the notion that the same methodology is being employed across these disruptions. In Estonia, older Danfoss models were cited as being particularly vulnerable to these recent attacks, reflecting a wider trend involving aging technology unable to fend off modern threats. Danfoss responded by urging customers to immediately sever internet connections for affected refrigeration systems and reconnect only via secure networks. While many retailers complied, some were slower to act, leaving them exposed. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont noted that all compromised freezer units had management interfaces that were accessible from the internet, signalling a significant lapse in cybersecurity hygiene. The situation is exacerbated since many of these devices are at the end of their operational life and lack available patches, highlighting the pressing need for modernisation in supermarket refrigeration tech. In the wake of these incidents, Belgian retailers bore the brunt of disruptions. Delhaize reported substantial refrigeration challenges across numerous stores, while Carrefour encountered issues in 15 outlets - part of a larger network exceeding 700 stores. Colruyt also mentioned impacts on several of its franchises, while even IKEA experienced problems at its Mons location. The Belgian federal prosecutor has launched an investigation, reflecting the severity of the situation. The effects were not confined to Belgium; in Ireland, SuperValu took precautionary measures to remove chilled products from 13 stores, indicating a specific model was compromised. Similarly, while Swedish grocer ICA confirmed that a handful of its outlets were affected, Coop reported disruptions at multiple locations as well. Food wastage was significant, with store managers revealing that considerable quantities of perishable goods had to be discarded. The Netherlands also faced issues, with Danfoss estimating that at least 17 businesses suffered disruptions, particularly small grocers and butcher shops. Reports from Kesko, a Finnish retailer, echoed concerns with temperature fluctuations being noted in smaller facilities, while Italian stores operating under the Coop brand reached out to national cybersecurity authorities following disturbances. The Mosqueteiros group in Portugal similarly confirmed incidents at seven Intermarché locations, further extending the reach of these targeted attacks. The alarming frequency of these cyberattacks has drawn strong words from EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen, who expressed grave concern regarding the apparent attempt to undermine the food supply chain and erode consumer confidence. While Hansen assured the public that the EU's food security remains intact, he acknowledged the detrimental impact on businesses and the unnecessary waste resulting from these events.

Cyberattack destroys millions in food as hackers hijack supermarkets in Europe. Emma Wheaton | 03 Nov 2026 Supermarket freezers and refrigeration systems across Europe have been hijacked by hackers in a cyberattack that pushed appliance temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius, destroying millions of euros of food. The latest cyberattack has affected supermarkets in at least seven European countries, including Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Estonia and Finland. It follows a series of similar attacks just last month. The attacks targeted refrigeration management systems and allowed hackers to remotely adjust temperatures in supermarket fridges and freezers. According to reports, most recently, around 40 Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg were affected, along with ICA and Coop supermarkets in Sweden and 13 SuperValu stores in Ireland. Reportedly, Carrefour and Spar stores in Belgium were also impacted. In some locations, staff arrived to find refrigeration units pumping hot air into storage cabinets, with frozen and refrigerated products already ruined. One Delhaize store in Hoeilaart, Belgium, reportedly had to dispose of approximately €100,000 worth of food after the incident. The latest attacks follow a similar incident in France in October, which saw around 400 supermarkets affected by hackers also targeting refrigeration control systems. Major retail groups including Carrefour, Intermarché, E.Leclerc, Monoprix and Coopérative U were among those dealing with the disruption to refrigeration equipment as well as significant food losses. In that attack, as reported earlier, some French stores also reported small fires and the financial damage was estimated to run into millions, potentially tens of millions, of euros. Danish refrigeration technology company Danfoss was linked to the earlier French incidents, with some affected systems reportedly running older equipment that was no longer receiving security updates. Cybersecurity specialists have warned that internet-connected operational technology, like those that control refrigeration, building management systems and other industrial equipment, can create opportunities for attackers when security protections are inadequate. Authorities have yet to identify who is behind the latest attacks, and no group has publicly claimed responsibility.