In the night between November 1 and November 2, 2026, hackers compromised refrigeration systems across Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, and Ireland, remotely altering temperatures up to 50 degrees and spoiling stored foods.
Hackers Target European Refrigeration Systems
The remote intrusion targeted digital controllers running industrial refrigeration units, forcing them into unauthorized defrost cycles. According to the television network Nos, the attackers activated the defrost mode of the systems remotely, causing an abnormal increase in temperatures. The industrial group Danfoss confirmed to DR the involvement of its products, noting that its devices were already affected by an attack in October.
Supermarkets and Industrial Sites Across Six Countries Suffer Spoilage
Retailers across the continent reported widespread inventory losses as display cases and walk-in freezers heated up overnight. In Belgio sono stati coinvolti decine di supermercati Delhaize, 15 punti vendita Carrefour e cinque negozi Spar. In Sweden, public broadcaster SVT documented freezer temperatures reaching 55 degrees Celsius at a retail site in Böda on Öland island, affecting ICA and Coop branches. In Estonia, the broadcaster Err reported that hackers breached the computer controlling the refrigeration system of a Selver supermarket, setting the temperature to 50 degrees, a finding confirmed by Jann Mutso, managing director of Kitman Coldtech. Ireland’s SuperValu chain pulled fresh and chilled stock from 13 stores, according to the Irish Times, while Finland experienced anomalies in some K-store outlets, as confirmed to HS by Petri Kayhko, security manager at Kesko.
Italian Retailers and Food Facilities Hit by Remote Intrusions
The cyber intrusion also reached Italy, prompting the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) to issue an alert. Giuseppe Spadaro, general manager of Coop Radenza, which manages activities in the Ragusano area, confirmed that hackers hit refrigeration controls in some supermarkets, specifically citing at least three stores in Catania and one in Palermo. An institutional catering firm in Tuscany notified the ACN of an incident, while a second attack was detected, though not yet notified, at an Emilian frozen food manufacturer. In response, Palazzo Chigi convened an emergency summit, and ACN directed operators to strengthen monitoring and verify if remote control and tele-assistance systems are exposed directly to the Internet.
European Commission Officials Call the Incident a Deliberate Food Supply Disruption
European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen warned that the attacks represent a calculated threat to the continent’s distribution networks. The recurrence of cyberattacks is deeply concerning. It is a deliberate attempt to disrupt our food supply chain and undermine consumer trust in it: a warning we must take seriously,
Hansen stated. While emphasizing that food safety in the EU is not currently at risk, but food waste and the impact on businesses are real,
the commissioner stated he will raise the issue with my fellow commissioners in our next meeting
of the EU college.
Frequently Asked Questions About the European Cold Chain Cyberattacks
Which specific company’s hardware was involved in the refrigeration attacks?
The industrial group Danfoss confirmed the involvement of its products, noting that the company had been fielding similar device disruptions since an earlier wave of incidents in October.
What exact technical method did the attackers use to raise freezer temperatures?
According to the television network Nos, the attackers activated the defrost mode of the systems remotely, causing an abnormal increase in temperatures. In some cases, temperatures reached 50 to 55 degrees Celsius.
What immediate steps did national cybersecurity authorities take in Italy?
Following incidents, the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) called on operators of large-scale distribution, food logistics, industrial refrigeration, and maintenance companies to implement security measures. The agency convened a meeting with sector federations and major large-scale distribution companies to reinforce defense capabilities.
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