Supermarket freezers in Belgium and Sweden hit by suspected cyber-attack

What the report says

Dozens of supermarkets in Belgium and Sweden have been hit by a suspected cyber-attack that disrupted refrigeration systems and forced some stores to dispose of food, according to BBC World News. The affected chains include Delhaize and Carrefour in Belgium, and ICA and Coop in Sweden. The article also says 13 SuperValu shops in Ireland were impacted, though the main reporting focuses on Belgium and Sweden.

BBC World News reported that about 40 Delhaize stores and 15 Carrefour outlets in Belgium were affected, while several ICA and Coop branches in Sweden experienced problems. In one Swedish store, freezers were reportedly set to 50C, and some local media reported thousands of euros worth of food may have been lost. One ICA store in Sjöbo, in southern Sweden, said on social media that its refrigerators and freezers had been hacked overnight, and the store later reopened.

The cause of the disruption is still unclear, and BBC World News said it is not known who is behind the attack. Delhaize described the issue as a computer incident, while Carrefour said it was analysing the situation. ICA said the problem affected only a small number of stores outside its central network, and Coop said the situation at its seven affected Swedish stores was contained and under control.

The incident follows a similar cyber-related disruption reported last month at supermarkets in France. More broadly, it highlights how attacks or technical interference with retail systems can quickly affect food safety, stock losses and store operations.