Cyberattack Turns 400 French Supermarket Fridges Into 50°C Ovens
Hackers cranked freezer temperatures up to 50°C, spoiling millions of euros worth of food.
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A massive cyberattack compromised the refrigeration systems of about 400 French supermarkets
According to the BBC, hackers raised freezer temperatures to 50°C, spoiling millions of euros' worth of food.
The breach involved software provided by Danish engineering firm Danfoss.
The software allows retailers to manage their refrigeration units remotely, but the hackers allegedly manipulated the systems to raise the temperatures and keep them high.
Danfoss said the affected units were older models that lacked the necessary security updates to address identified risks.
About 400 of France's 15,000 or so supermarkets fell victim to the breach, including major chains like Carrefour, Monoprix, and E.Leclerc
Managers arriving for their morning shifts were met with sweltering heat, and in some extreme cases, small fires had broken out.
Intermarché reported that its fridges remained at 50°C for six hours, forcing staff to discard all affected products to avoid health risks.
According to news reports, two supermarkets in the Alsace region alone reported combined losses of 270,000 euros (RM1.37 million), meaning nationwide damages are monumental
As French prosecutors launch a cybercrime investigation, European Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen summed up the chilling reality on X: "Food security requires more attention at all levels. Because the weaponisation of food has become a reality."
