Cyber-attack on shop fridges across Europe: food thrown away in several countries

On Monday 2 November 2026, grocery shops in several European countries reported refrigeration failures that appear to be the result of a cyber-attack. In some stores the temperature in freezers rose to as much as 50 degrees Celsius, so staff had to pull some fresh and frozen food from sale. The news agency Reuters reported this, and Polish media have cited it.

Where the disruption occurred

Shops in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and Estonia reported problems. Reuters also wrote about SuperValu stores in Ireland, and the Finnish broadcaster Yle about several small K-Market shops in Finland.

In Sweden, six Coop stores had cooling problems. An incident was also recorded at an ICA Kvantum store in Sjöbo, where equipment was reportedly remotely set to 50 degrees.

In Belgium, the disruption hit several dozen Delhaize stores and 15 Carrefour outlets. Five Spar shops also reported problems. In Estonia, a cyber-attack was confirmed at one Selver store. According to Jann Mutso, head of the company Kitman Coldtech, the attackers gained access to the control computer and changed the freezer temperature.

What happened

According to reports, the attackers remotely entered the refrigeration control systems and changed their settings. In Belgian shops, equipment was switched to defrost mode, among other things. Luc De Laet, the owner of a shop in Hove, told Reuters that when he arrived he found his chillers at 18 degrees Celsius. He put the losses at around €15,000.

The operator of K-Market in Finland, the company Kesko, does not rule out outside interference. However, it has not yet confirmed that a cyber-attack was the cause.

European Commission reaction

European Commission spokeswoman Louise Bogey said that such incidents show cyber-attacks can disrupt businesses and citizens' everyday lives. According to Polsat News, an EU representative called the attacks a "deliberate attempt at disruption" of EU food supplies and of undermining consumers' trust in their safety.

Earlier attack in France

Similar incidents took place in France in October. Finance minister Roland Lescure said the disruption affected around 700 of 10,000 supermarkets. Temperatures in chillers rose to 50 degrees there and stayed that way for about six hours. Problems were reported by Intermarché, Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Monoprix and Coopérative U, among others. The French cyber-security agency ANSSI had warned of further attacks at the time.

Who is behind it

The perpetrators have not been identified. No hacking group has publicly claimed responsibility. There is also no evidence of involvement by Russia or any other state.