Supermarkets in several European countries have reportedly been hit by suspected cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems, forcing some stores to dispose of spoiled frozen food.
Images circulating online showed employees of Swedish grocery store chain ICA emptying freezers and discarding frozen products after refrigeration units reportedly malfunctioned.
The incidents were reported on Monday in Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands and Estonia, with affected companies confirming disruptions to their refrigeration systems to ABC News and local public broadcasters.
According to reports, the suspected cyberattacks altered the settings and operation of refrigerator and freezer units, causing some equipment to malfunction and resulting in food spoilage.
The affected stores reportedly included smaller retail outlets, with only a limited number of locations belonging to each supermarket chain impacted.
The incidents have raised concerns about the vulnerability of supermarket infrastructure to cyberattacks, particularly as modern refrigeration systems increasingly rely on digital controls and connected technologies.
However, details about the perpetrators, the method used to access the systems and the full extent of the damage were not immediately available.
Authorities and affected companies have yet to provide a comprehensive account of the incidents.
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