By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/freezers-at-supermarkets-in-several-european-countries-hit-by-apparent-cyberattacks-ruining-food Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Freezers at supermarkets in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks, ruining food World Nov 2, 2026 10:31 AM EST STOCKHOLM (AP) — Supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and Estonia were hit Monday by problems with freezers and fridges that apparently were caused by cyberattacks, forcing some to dispose of ruined food. The problems follow a case last month in which attackers remotely took control of refrigeration systems in hundreds of supermarkets and independent stores across France, sending temperatures soaring. READ MORE: Cyberattacks disrupt refrigeration systems at European supermarkets In Sweden, ICA Group supermarket chain spokesperson Gustaf Nilsson told news agency TT that "a limited number" of stores were affected overnight by an incident that affected refrigeration and freezing systems. He declined to give a specific number. The ICA Kvantum branch in Sjöbo in southern Sweden wrote on its Facebook page that its fridges and freezers had been hacked and set to 50 degrees Celsius…
Freezers at supermarkets in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks, ruining food
In short
The breaches impacted major grocery chains across Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Estonia by manipulating cooling systems overnight. In several instances, attackers accessed store control computers and intentionally forced temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius. While some operators were forced to discard unsellable food, rapid intervention from technical providers managed to avert severe losses at certain locations.
Key points
- Hackers targeted older and vulnerable refrigeration control infrastructure across four Eu…: Hackers targeted older and vulnerable refrigeration control infrastructure across four European nations on Monday.
- Retailers including Coop, Delhaize, ICA, Carrefour, and Selver suffered localized store d…: Retailers including Coop, Delhaize, ICA, Carrefour, and Selver suffered localized store disruptions while broader distribution networks remained operational.
- The incident follows a pattern established during previous cyber intrusions that manipula…: The incident follows a pattern established during previous cyber intrusions that manipulated temperatures across hundreds of French stores last month.