Supermarkets in six European countries face food loss due to cyber-attack on refrigeration systems
A suspected cyber-attack has impacted freezers at numerous supermarkets across six European countries.
Approximately 40 Delhaize supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg were affected, alongside a smaller number of stores in Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Estonia.
Belgian company Sabcobel, which manufactures some affected fridges, reported that the units’ evaporators were switched to defrost mode, causing a temperature rise, reflecting a similar incident affecting French supermarkets previously.
Local reports indicate millions of euros worth of food have been discarded.
Widespread impact
Stephan Moelans, Sabcobel’s CEO, confirmed the attack, stating that units needed physical modifications, not just software updates, for protection.
Belgium and Sweden’s national cyber-security agencies are monitoring the situation while the UK’s centre collaborates with global partners to understand the attack.
Flanders saw a Delhaize store lose €100,000 in produce, not accounting for the extra closure losses.
French-owned Carrefour noted the attack impacted only 15 Belgian stores, with other measures taken to keep them open.
Colruyt Group reported five Spar stores in Belgium had fridge systems hacked.
In Sweden, several ICA and Coop stores were attacked, with ICA supporting affected locations outside its main network.
Ireland saw 13 SuperValu supermarkets impacted, according to owner Musgrave Group.
Dutch company Danfoss confirmed attacks on cooling systems of 17 companies in the Netherlands.
Estonia’s Selver supermarket also experienced effects, with reports of other affected entities in the country.
