Cyberattack on supermarket freezers leads to massive food waste across Europe

Dozens of supermarkets in seven European countries discarded large quantities of food after refrigerators and freezers were targeted in a cyberattack.

2 Nov 2026

A cyberattack targeting refrigerators and freezers has forced dozens of supermarkets across Europe to throw away substantial quantities of food, including frozen products, according to the BBC.

Belgium and Luxembourg were among the worst-affected countries. Forty Delhaize supermarkets in Belgium were impacted, while incidents were also reported at stores in Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Estonia and Finland.

At a Delhaize branch in Hoeilaart, near Brussels, the BBC found piles of discarded food, including frozen pizzas and ice cream. The supermarket estimated that the damage would cost more than €100,000 (£83,500).

The affected stores disposed of the food after the cyberattack disrupted their refrigeration equipment, leaving products unsuitable for sale.

Sources: BBC News World.