Ilayda Cakirtekin
03 November 2026•Update: 03 November 2026
Hackers tampered with refrigeration systems at several supermarkets in Germany overnight following similar recent attacks across Europe, broadcaster Tagesschau reported Tuesday.
Hackers switched the refrigeration systems from cooling to heating overnight in several stores across North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, the report said.
Large quantities of food reportedly had to be disposed of.
A regional manager at the Workers' Welfare Association, which operates the affected CAP supermarkets, confirmed one of the attacks to the German Press Agency, the report added.
Both refrigerated shelves and storage areas outside the store were affected, while the actual attack reportedly targeted the company responsible for remotely maintaining the refrigeration systems.
The extent of damage has not yet been determined, according to the report.
Police in Lower Bavaria are also investigating an incident at an Edeka branch in Reisbach on suspicion of data espionage and data manipulation.
A butcher shop in the Kifisia district of Athens was also targeted in a cyberattack on Tuesday, with hackers allegedly gaining access to its refrigeration control system and setting the temperature to 150C (302F).
The UK meat processing industry was also hit by cyberattacks, security officials announced earlier.
The incidents came as several European countries were affected by suspected cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems on Monday. The attacks caused food losses and prompted a criminal investigation in Belgium.
Incidents were reported in Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Denmark, while Finnish retailers were investigating whether overnight temperature irregularities were linked.
EU Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen described the attacks as a deliberate attempt to disrupt European food security, Danish broadcaster DR reported.
Hansen said food security was not at risk, but the disruption and resulting food waste had a tangible impact on businesses. He called for coordinated efforts to strengthen resilience throughout the supply chain.
