Cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems have been reported in several European countries, including Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Estonia, the Netherlands and Ireland. The incidents caused temperatures in freezers and refrigerated food counters to rise, potentially damaging large quantities of food.
In Sicily, Giuseppe Spadaro, general manager of the Radenza group, which operates Coop-branded supermarkets, said that at least three stores in Catania and one in Palermo had been affected. According to Spadaro, the attacks altered temperature settings in the refrigeration systems, causing food to deteriorate. The incidents took place at around 4 a.m., and the company is still assessing the damage.
The postal police are investigating the origin and scale of the attacks and are checking whether they are connected to incidents reported elsewhere in Europe. Radenza has contacted Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency and activated protocols for a deeper investigation. Some systems have already been restored.
In Belgium, retailers including Delhaize, Carrefour, Intermarché and Spar reported cyber incidents at stores in both Flanders and Wallonia. The attacks remotely activated defrosting functions, raising refrigerator and freezer temperatures beyond permitted limits. Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation.
Carrefour Belgium said the disruption affected around 15 of its 700 stores in the country. In Sweden, one store manager said staff were emptying freezers after products had been spoiled, although some systems had begun cooling again.
The European Union described the developments as highly concerning. A European Commission spokesperson said the incidents showed that cyberattacks could disrupt services, affect businesses and directly interfere with citizens’ daily lives. No group has claimed responsibility, although the incidents are being examined as potentially coordinated attacks.
Belgium’s Centre for Cybersecurity linked the rise in incidents partly to the targeted use of artificial intelligence. Christophe Hansen, the European commissioner for agriculture, said the attacks appeared to be an attempt to disrupt the food supply chain and undermine consumer confidence.
Initial assessments have focused on the age and protection of the affected equipment. Some systems reportedly used older connections or had not received sufficient security updates. Industrial refrigeration company Sabcobel said that, after the previous attack in France on October 12, it had begun securing its installations, but around 10% of the equipment had not yet been reviewed, including some systems in affected stores.
Sources: ANSA Mondo.