Cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems have affected at least 11 European countries, forcing retailers to discard spoiled food and prompting the European Union to coordinate a collective response. Authorities have not identified those responsible, and no group has claimed responsibility.
The attacks disrupted temperature controls in refrigerators and freezers, allowing chilled and frozen products to warm beyond safe storage conditions. Retailers in Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden were among those reporting incidents, with affected businesses including stores operated by Ahold Delhaize, Colruyt, ICA and Coop.
Officials and company representatives subsequently confirmed incidents at four supermarkets in Germany and six in Romania. British authorities also reported attempts against food businesses. Belgium was among the hardest-hit countries, with refrigeration failures across dozens of stores and a federal investigation underway.
EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier said European agencies were working with national authorities on a joint response. Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen described the incidents as an attempt to disrupt the food supply chain, while officials stopped short of attributing them to any country or organisation.
Retailers have moved to secure their systems. Swedish chain Coop said its seven affected stores had resumed operations and that compromised refrigeration systems had been disconnected from the internet. Refrigeration-controls supplier Danfoss said it was supporting customers and recommended that management systems should not be directly accessible online.
The incidents follow similar attacks on French supermarkets in October. However, investigators have not publicly established whether the latest disruptions share the same perpetrators. The full financial cost and extent of the damage remain unclear as retailers restore equipment, inspect stock and strengthen security.
