Investigation Underway Into France Supermarket Cyberattack

Hackers targeted refrigeration systems in over 500 French supermarkets on October 12, 2026, raising temperatures to as high as 50°C (122°F) and causing food spoilage estimated at millions of euros. The attack affected major chains like Intermarché, E.Leclerc, Coopérative U, Carrefour, and Monoprix across France. Store workers found vast quantities of fresh produce, meat, dairy, and frozen goods spoiled upon arrival on Monday morning. The Paris prosecutor's office launched an investigation into the incident, which is considered a "large-scale cyber-attack." Authorities advised companies to disconnect affected freezer models from the internet or restrict access immediately to prevent further damage. Cybersecurity experts warn that this highlights vulnerabilities in connected technology systems.