A cyber attack on French supermarket chains forced refrigeration systems to overheat, melting equipment and destroying food. Coopérative U, Carrefour, Intermarché, and Netto were among the affected retailers, with temperatures in some fridges reaching 80°C. Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Coopérative U, called the incident "unprecedented" and a serious threat to France's food security.
The attack impacted approximately 80 of Coopérative U’s 2,000 stores, while hundreds of others across different chains also suffered disruptions. In one Intermarché store in Le Haye, food was ruined and equipment melted, prompting the manager to apologize to customers. Mousquetaires, the parent company of Intermarché and Netto, removed products from affected fridges and stated operations were gradually returning to normal.
The software involved was manufactured by Danish firm Danfoss, which confirmed it is working with affected customers. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously warned of increased cyber risks, ordering heightened vigilance in September. Investigations have been opened by the government’s cyber security agency and Paris prosecutors.
While Schelcher noted that only a small minority of stores were affected and little food was ultimately wasted, he emphasized the gravity of targeting the national food supply.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing