13 SuperValu stores in Ireland suffer ‘refrigerator rage’ after cyber‑attack

A dozen‑plus SuperValu stores across Ireland have been hit by a strange bout of ‘refrigerator rage’. Overnight, the refrigeration units in these shops spiked in temperature, turning what should have been a cool storage area into something more akin to a sauna.

The sudden heat forced staff to toss out fresh produce that could no longer be kept safe, creating a wave of food waste that has left managers scrambling.

SuperValu confirmed that the incident appears to be the result of a suspected cyber‑attack targeting the stores’ refrigeration systems. While the exact method of the breach remains under investigation, the impact is clear: dozens of aisles of perishable goods have been lost.

The chain is working with authorities and its IT partners to restore normal temperatures and prevent a repeat performance. In the meantime, shoppers may notice fewer fresh items on the shelves as the stores clear the aftermath of the unexpected heatwave.