Hackers targeted refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets, pushing some temperatures to 50°C and forcing retailers to discard spoiled food.
The overnight attack disrupted chains including Carrefour, Monoprix, Intermarché and Coopérative U, with reports also identifying E.Leclerc. The temperature reached the equivalent of 122°F in affected equipment, Reuters reported.
Paris prosecutors opened an investigation into the attack and reported damage, including food losses and fires. However, Intermarché owner Les Mousquetaires told CNBC that its stores experienced smoke but had reported no fires.
Retailers face millions in losses
Les Mousquetaires said the attack affected around 180 stores and could cause “several million euros in losses.”
The group said a breach involving a refrigeration-management service provider had left some fresh and frozen food displays out of service.
“Intermarché and Netto have taken all necessary precautions to remove and dispose of any affected products as quickly as possible, to ensure consumer safety,” its spokesperson said.
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“In some stores, the overheating of equipment resulted in smoke, but no fires have been reported.”
The company awaits assessments from a court-appointed bailiff and insurance experts before establishing more precise damage figures.
Coopérative U chief executive Dominique Schelcher confirmed disruption to “refrigeration production facilities of several stores.”
“Attacking equipment that is essential to the preservation of fresh products and the food supply of the French people is extremely serious and unprecedented. It is unacceptable,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
Food security concerns extend beyond France
Felix Aime, a senior cyber threat intelligence analyst at Sekoia, told Reuters the attack also affected other European countries. He identified Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen condemned the incident on Monday.
“I strongly condemn the cyberattack targeting food products at @intermarche @CooperativeU @Leclerc,” he wrote on X.
“Food security requires more attention at all levels. Because the weaponization of food has become a reality.”
Separately, Ahold Delhaize, owner of Stop & Shop and Albert Heijn, reported a “security issue within its network.” It took systems offline but said stores remained open. The supplied report did not establish a connection between the incidents.
Investigators examine connected equipment
Reuters reported on Tuesday that nobody had claimed responsibility or demanded a ransom. Investigators were examining the attack, which affected at least 350 supermarkets.
The disruption comes amid wider cybercrime concerns. Online fashion retailer Asos disclosed a breach last week involving some customers’ personal information.
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A suspected Iran-linked cyberattack also shut a small British power plant for four days in July, according to earlier reporting.
Interpol’s global chief information security officer, Bjorn R. Watn, recently told CNBC that artificial intelligence increases cyberattacks’ speed and scale.
“It’s an evolution and not a revolution.”
However, the available reporting does not establish that attackers used AI in the supermarket incident.
