Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
Supermarket refrigeration systems disrupted in three European countries
Refrigeration systems were disrupted in supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg overnight into Monday, causing temperatures to rise sharply.
At least one Swedish store said it believed a cyberattack caused the temperature change.
Ahold Delhaize said an IT disruption affected cooling systems at dozens of its stores in Belgium and Luxembourg, and the company is investigating.
Swedish chains ICA and Coop were also affected; ICA said several stores were hit, while Coop said six stores were affected.
The incident echoes a larger attack in France last month, where police said hackers took control of cooling systems in hundreds of supermarkets, leading to spoiled food and fires.
Companies are investigating the latest disruption, but no further findings or next steps were reported.
Temperatures in supermarket refrigeration and freezer systems rose sharply overnight in Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg.
At least one Swedish store blamed the incident on a cyberattack.
Ahold Delhaize said an IT disruption affected cooling systems in dozens of its supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg.
In Sweden, ICA said a limited number of stores were affected, while Coop said six stores had been affected.
The incidents resembled a large-scale attack in France last month that caused food losses and fires.
- Who
- Supermarket operators ICA, Coop and Ahold Delhaize reported affected stores.
- What
- Refrigeration and freezer temperatures rose sharply. At least one Swedish store blamed a cyberattack.
- When
- Overnight to Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg.
- Why
- Not stated. At least one Swedish store attributed the incident to a cyberattack, and Ahold Delhaize said an IT disruption was being investigated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
French police said hackers took control of cooling units at hundreds of supermarkets in France, causing food losses and fires.
Refrigeration and freezer temperatures rose sharply at supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg.
ICA, Coop and Ahold Delhaize reported affected stores, and Ahold Delhaize said the incidents were under investigation.
- Countries affected
- Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg
- Coop stores affected
- Six
- Ahold Delhaize locations affected
- Dozens of supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg
- ICA description
- A limited number of stores were affected
- Previous similar attack
- France, last month
3 sources
What people are saying
We are aware that a limited number of stores were affected by an incident overnight, which impacted their refrigeration and freezer systems