How many French supermarkets were affected by the refrigeration cyberattack?

About 700 of France’s 10,000 supermarkets were affected, according to Finance Minister Roland Lescure. Cooperative U separately reported that 80 of its 2,000 stores were hit.

Is France’s food supply at risk after the supermarket refrigeration cyberattack?

Roland Lescure said there was no risk to France’s food supplies, but acknowledged that the attack targeted a core part of food security. Some supermarkets had to discard food after refrigeration systems were disrupted.

Who is investigating the cyberattack on French supermarket refrigeration systems?

The Paris prosecutor’s office said its cybercrime unit was investigating the large-scale attack. The investigation includes assessing the extent of damage from spoiled food and possible fires.

Cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems hits 700 supermarkets, French gov't says

Listen

Summary

A cyberattack disrupted refrigeration systems at about 700 supermarkets in France on Tuesday, prompting a Paris cybercrime investigation. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said there was no risk to food supplies, although the attack affected food preservation and some stores discarded spoiled products. Cooperative U said 80 of its 2,000 stores were affected, while most prevented refrigeration failures.

Key Facts

Roland Lescure told Parliament that about 700 of France’s 10,000 supermarkets were affected.
The Paris prosecutor’s office is investigating the attack, including possible damage from spoiled food and fires.
Dominique Schelcher said 80 Cooperative U stores were affected and some had to discard food.

By AP

Published Oct 14, 2026 1:08 am KST
Updated Oct 14, 2026 1:22 am KST

View of an empty refrigerator at the frozen food aisle inside an Intermarche supermarket in Paris the day after a cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems at French supermarket chains, causing food losses and fires at several stores, France, Tuesday. The placard reads 'Important information. Our store has been hacked, and our refrigeration system has been affected.' Reuters-Yonhap — View of an empty refrigerator at the frozen food aisle inside an Intermarche supermarket in Paris the day after a cyberattack targeted refrigeration systems at French supermarket chains, causing food losses and fires at several stores, France, Tuesday. The placard reads "Important information. Our store has been hacked, and our refrigeration system has been affected." Reuters-Yonhap

PARIS — Cyberattacks have disrupted European supermarket chains, causing refrigeration systems to overheat at hundreds of stores in France and forcing a major grocer to shut down websites serving customers in Europe and the United States.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure told Parliament on Tuesday that about 700 of the country’s 10,000 supermarkets were affected. He said there was no risk to France’s food supplies but acknowledged that the attack “touches the heart of our food security.”

″It was a wake-up call for everyone,” he said.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said Tuesday that its cybercrime unit was investigating the large-scale attack, including the extent of damage caused by spoiled food and possible fires.

Dominique Schelcher, CEO of French grocery chain Cooperative U, said 80 of the company’s 2,000 stores were affected. Most managed to prevent disruptions to refrigeration, but some had to discard food, he said in a post on X.

“Targeting equipment essential to the preservation of fresh products is an attack on the French food supply chain. It is unprecedented, extremely serious, and unacceptable,” Schelcher said.

Explore More