Cyberattack Disrupts Refrigeration Systems at French Supermarkets
France: A cyberattack targeting refrigeration control systems affected hundreds of supermarkets across France in October 2026, disrupting operations and causing food losses. The incident, which began on 11 October, reportedly affected supermarket chains including Intermarché, Carrefour, Monoprix and Coopérative U. According to Reuters, attackers gained remote access to refrigeration controls and altered defrost settings, causing temperatures in refrigerated and frozen food storage units to rise.
Some affected refrigeration systems reportedly reached temperatures of 50°C (122°F), resulting in food spoilage and fires at certain locations. The incident led to potential damages amounting to millions of dollars and raised concerns about cybersecurity risks associated with remotely monitored refrigeration equipment. The disruption also highlighted the potential operational consequences of unauthorised access to connected temperature-control systems used in food retail operations.
Source: Reuters
