Danfoss software cyber attack spoils food in 500 French supermarkets

Over 500 supermarkets across France have been hit by a major cyber attack targeting refrigeration management systems, leading to the destruction of massive quantities of perishable goods. The breach specifically exploited software developed by the Danish firm Danfoss, which is used to monitor and control cooling units. The attack caused fridge and freezer temperatures to soar to as high as 50°C (120°F), resulting in the spoilage of fresh and frozen food worth millions of euros.

Major retail chains, including Carrefour, Intermarché, and Coopérative U, reported widespread disruptions as their cooling infrastructure systematically failed. Store operators discovered that the compromised software did not merely shut down the systems but caused them to heat up, rendering entire stocks of meat, dairy, and frozen products unsafe for human consumption. The scale of the loss has forced many locations to clear their shelves and dispose of contaminated inventory, impacting both supply chains and immediate food availability.

French prosecutors have launched a formal cyber-crime investigation to determine the origin of the attack and the methods used to penetrate the Danfoss software. European officials have expressed serious concern over the incident, describing it as a significant threat to food security and a demonstration of how vulnerable critical infrastructure is to digital sabotage. Danfoss is currently working alongside security experts and retail partners to patch the vulnerabilities and restore secure operations to the affected supermarkets.