Intermarché

Cyber Attack on Danfoss Systems Forces Defrost in 250 French Supermarkets, Spoiling Stock

Hackers compromised refrigeration control systems supplied by Danfoss in French supermarket chains Intermarché and Coopérative U, activating continuous defrost cycles that raised temperatures to 50 °C. The sabotage affected between 150 and 200 Intermarché stores and nearly 100 Coopérative U locations, forcing retailers to discard large quantities of fresh and frozen goods. French authorities confirmed the incidents, with the Paris prosecutor’s office opening an investigation after reports of associated fires. The attackers exploited the normal maintenance function of the Danfoss equipment, turning brief defrost cycles into prolonged warming that broke the cold chain. Coopérative U chairman Dominique Schelcher described the event as unprecedented and stated that technical teams are working with refrigeration specialists to restore operations. No group has claimed responsibility, and investigators continue to examine the initial access vector. The incident illustrates how manipulation of industrial control systems can produce immediate physical and financial damage without traditional data theft or encryption.