Cyberattack hits supermarket refrigeration systems across Belgium, forcing stores to discard €100,000 in food

Dozens of supermarkets in Belgium were hit by a cyberattack that manipulated refrigeration systems, sending temperatures sharply higher and forcing stores to throw away about €100,000 worth of food.

Around 40 Delhaize stores were affected, while Carrefour said at least 15 of its supermarkets had been hit and Spar reported problems at five locations. Belgian butcher group De Laet en Van Haver also said its refrigeration systems were affected.

A Delhaize spokesperson told Euronews the company had identified an IT incident affecting refrigeration systems in several dozen stores and had taken measures to keep them operational.

The attack took place between Sunday night and Monday morning. Belgian reports said temperatures in some refrigerators were raised to as high as 70 degrees Celsius.

The incident is part of a broader wave affecting connected refrigeration systems across Europe. Reuters reported disruptions in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and Ireland, with retailers including Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, ICA, Coop, IKEA and Musgrave among those affected.

No group has claimed responsibility, and investigators have not established whether all of the incidents are connected.

A similar cyberattack hit hundreds of French supermarkets in October, targeting refrigeration systems at Intermarché and Coopérative U stores.