Suspected cyberattacks spoil food at European supermarket chains

Suspected cyberattacks disrupted refrigeration systems at supermarkets and other food retailers in Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Estonia, Ireland and the Netherlands, with reports ranging from dozens of outlets to more than 115 affected stores. Hackers may have changed temperatures or triggered defrost cycles, spoiling food and forcing retailers to discard stock; some Swedish and Belgian stores reported temperatures of 50–55°C. In Ireland, SuperValu removed chilled and frozen products from 13 stores as a precaution after a specific refrigeration model was affected, and the National Cyber Security Centre said early indications pointed to a known vulnerability. Retailers including ICA, Coop, Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour and Spar confirmed incidents, but some causes remain under investigation and it is unclear whether the events were coordinated; no group has claimed responsibility. The incidents echo an attack on hundreds of French supermarkets last month that caused food losses and, in some cases, fires, but no technical link between the events has been established. Authorities and industry observers warn that internet-connected refrigeration systems can expose food supply chains to cyber risks.