Cyber Incidents Hit European Supermarket Freezers, Ruining Food Stock
On Monday, November 2, 2026, supermarket chains reported cyber incidents that raised refrigerator and freezer temperatures in dozens of stores across Belgium, Luxembourg and parts of Sweden, risking extensive food spoilage.[1]
Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt said IT incidents raised temperatures in dozens of Belgian and Luxembourg stores, and Sabcobel CEO Stephan Moelans said a cyberattack switched evaporators into defrost mode.[1] Technicians began disconnecting units from networks about 1 a.m. local time to stop the defrost cycles, the companies said.[1] Coop reported at least six outlets with failed cooling, and one ICA location said its systems were set to 50 degrees Celsius, causing meat and dairy losses.[1]
On October 12, a prior cyberattack that abused Danfoss systems hit hundreds of French supermarkets and pushed refrigerator temperatures as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit.[1] The recurrence of remote manipulation of cooling systems has raised alarm among retailers and regulators about vulnerabilities in connected refrigeration controls.
Authorities and the affected retailers said investigations are ongoing and stores are discarding spoiled goods as they assess losses and repair systems.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, November 2, 2026, Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt reported IT incidents that raised refrigerator and freezer temperatures in dozens of stores in Belgium and Luxembourg.
- Sabcobel CEO Stephan Moelans said a cyberattack switched evaporators into defrost mode and that technicians began disconnecting units from networks around 1 a.m. local time.
- Swedish chains ICA and Coop reported a limited number of stores with failed cooling, with at least six Coop outlets affected and one ICA store alleging its systems were hacked and set to 50°C.
- The latest incidents come less than three weeks after an October 12 cyberattack using Danfoss systems that hit hundreds of French supermarkets and pushed refrigerator temperatures as high as 122°F.
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