A massive cyberattack struck multiple supermarket chains across France, forcefully raising refrigerator temperatures up to 50°C and impacting hundreds of stores, according to reports from AFP and Reuters.

The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office announced on the 12th (local time) that major food distribution networks throughout the country were hit by the large-scale incident. Following the breach, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered an immediate investigation by the French National Agency for Cybersecurity (ANSSI).

Carrefour reported that 80 of its stores were affected, while Monoprix stated that 5% of its 490 total locations suffered disruptions. Les Mousquetaires, the operator of the Intermarché chain, revealed that hackers manipulated system controls overnight to spike refrigerator temperatures to 50°C. Due to severe health and safety risks, all impacted food stock was entirely discarded. Approximately 300 locations belonging to Intermarché and its sister chain, Netto, were targeted.

Cooperative U also took a hit, with around 100 stores affected. Dominique Schelcher, CEO of the company, posted on X (formerly Twitter), describing the incident as "extremely serious and unprecedented, targeting equipment essential for the preservation of fresh food and the food supply of the French people."

Les Mousquetaires identified their system management contractor as Danfoss, a Danish refrigeration company. Danfoss stated that it is aware of the incidents in France and is actively cooperating with clients to mitigate the damage. A company spokesperson told Bloomberg that the affected products are older models that no longer receive software and security updates.

An official from the French Prime Minister's Office told Reuters that authorities are collaborating with other European nations, as the breach may have expanded beyond France. Félix Aimé, a senior cyber threat intelligence analyst at Sekoia, confirmed that Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, and Belgium also appear to have been affected.

Christophe Hansen, the European Union's Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, condemned the attack on social media, writing, "The weaponization of food is now a reality. Food security demands greater attention at every level."

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