Cyberattack disrupts freezers in supermarkets across several European countries

Supermarkets in five European nations reported freezer system failures on Monday that authorities suspect stem from a coordinated cyberattack similar to one that hit France three weeks earlier. Swedish chains ICA and Coop said a limited number of stores were affected; ICA spokeswoman Helena Johansson said the company is investigating the incident and its scope. Coop spokesman Carlos Cancino told AFP that six of the chain's roughly 800 Swedish outlets experienced problems, but he had not received confirmation that the cause was a cyberattack.

Dutch retailer Ahold Delhaize reported an overnight IT incident that impacted freezers in several Belgian and Luxembourg stores, while Ireland's public broadcaster RTE said 13 supermarkets were affected. Carrefour, Intermarché and Spar also faced disruptions, with Carrefour's Belgium spokesperson Mich Vergauwen confirming it was a cyberattack.

Belgium's prosecutor's office has opened a criminal investigation, and European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen described the incidents as “a deliberate attempt to disrupt Europe’s food supplies,” noting that while food security is not currently at risk, the waste and impact on businesses are real. A Commission spokesperson added that the attacks demonstrate how cyber incidents can affect services, businesses and citizens’ daily lives.

In Sweden, the ICA Kvantum branch in Sjöbo reported that freezer temperatures were remotely raised to 50 °C, leading to product spoilage. Sweden’s National Cybersecurity Center chief John Billow said his agency is investigating and highlighted the need to update or patch exposed operational technology devices, which now include remotely monitored refrigeration, heating, security cameras and alarm systems.