Panic at supermarkets as food pulled from fridges after huge cyberattack
Supermarkets across several European countries are rushing to remove chilled products after a cyberattack impacting fridges and freezers. Dozens of supermarkets across Belgium and Sweden were targeted in a cyberattack that reportedly caused refrigeration systems to malfunction, with some units reaching temperatures of up to 70C. At least 40 supermarkets were reportedly affected in Belgium. According to Belgian media, the incident led to the disposal of food worth an estimated €100,000 (£87,000).
TL;DR
- Dozens of supermarkets in Belgium and Sweden were affected by a cyberattack that disrupted refrigeration systems.
- Some refrigeration units reached temperatures as high as 70C, leading to food disposal.
- In Belgium, an estimated €100,000 (£87,000) worth of food was disposed of.
- SuperValu stores in Ireland also experienced disruptions to refrigeration systems due to a cyberattack.
- A specific model of refrigerator used in some SuperValu stores was targeted, affecting 13 locations.
- Chilled and frozen products were removed from sale in affected stores as a precaution.
- Swedish supermarket chain ICA also reported problems at a small number of stores not connected to their central network.
- France experienced a similar cyberattack on October 12, impacting Intermarché and Coopérative U chains.
- The French cyberattack caused significant food waste, fires, and tens of millions of euros in damages.