French Fridge Fiasco: Cyber‑Attack Turns Supermarket Freezers Into Saunas

A nationwide cyber intrusion on Monday night sent refrigeration temperatures in hundreds of French supermarkets soaring to 50 °C, sparking fires and causing widespread spoilage of fresh and frozen food.

At Intermarché La Haye, the attack pushed fridge temperatures to 27 °C (80 °F), turning the aisle into a makeshift sauna and ruining produce and frozen items. The chain’s director publicly apologised for the loss of fresh and frozen food caused by the breach.

The sudden heat also triggered fires in several stores as the internal heating systems fought against the cooling coils. Firefighters were called to multiple locations, and some outlets had to be evacuated while the flames were brought under control.

Retailers are now racing to patch the digital vulnerabilities that allowed the attack, but the damage to perishable stock has already sent ripples through supply chains. Suppliers are seeking alternative storage solutions to prevent further losses.

French authorities have warned that such cyber‑attacks on critical retail infrastructure pose a serious risk to public safety and the food supply.