Cyber-attacks on shop fridges across Europe: freezers set to 50 degrees

Dozens of shops in several European countries have been hit by cyber-attacks on the systems that control refrigeration equipment. According to media reports, the attackers changed settings remotely, so fridges and freezers heated up instead of cooling down. Some food had to be thrown away.

Where the failures happened

The incidents took place overnight on 1–2 November 2026 and on Monday 2 November. Problems were reported in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and Estonia. Reuters, as cited by Polsat News, also reported disruption at Irish SuperValu stores. Finnish broadcaster Yle reported failures at several small K-Market shops. The operator, Kesko, did not rule out outside interference but has not yet confirmed that a cyber-attack was the cause.

In Sweden, six Coop stores were affected, as was an ICA Kvantum shop in Sjöbo, where equipment was reportedly remotely set to 50 degrees Celsius. Staff had to withdraw some products.

In Belgium, according to media reports, about 40 Delhaize shops and 15 Carrefour outlets were affected. Spar shops also reported problems. A spokeswoman for Ahold Delhize described an "IT incident" in dozens of shops, and the company is investigating. Delhaize also confirmed disruption in Luxembourg.

In Estonia, attackers took over a computer that remotely controls refrigeration in one Selver shop and set the temperature to 50 degrees Celsius. Jann Mutso, head of Kitman Coldtech, said staff responded within 10 minutes, which prevented greater damage.

The earlier attack in France

Media recall that a similar attack took place in France in mid-October. According to reports, it hit anywhere from several hundred shops of chains such as Intermarché, Coopérative U, Carrefour and Monoprix, with temperatures in refrigeration units rising to more than 50 degrees Celsius.

European Commission response

EU agriculture and food commissioner Christophe Hansen said on Monday that the attacks were a "deliberate attempt to disrupt" EU food supplies and undermine consumer confidence. He stressed that food security is not currently under threat, but that food waste and the impact on businesses are real.

Retailers are checking their own security and updating the software on their controllers. Those behind the attacks have not been publicly identified.

What this means for you

The sources we have seen contain no reports of attacks on shops in the UK. Ireland, where disruption at SuperValu was reported, is not part of the UK. The case does show, however, that internet-connected equipment in shops can be a target for hackers. People travelling to the countries mentioned may find shops with a temporarily limited range of chilled products.