EU Commission to Probe Supermarket Cyberattacks Following Mass Food Chain Disruptions
The European Commission investigates supermarket refrigeration security after cyberattacks disable cooling systems across six EU nations, threatening food su...
POLICY WIRE — Brussels, Belgium — The European Commission is launching an assessment into the readiness of grocery retailers against digital threats after a series of outages deactivated refrigeration units in dozens of stores across at least six member states.
Christophe Hansen, the EU Agriculture and Food Commissioner, informed POLITICO that these incidents will headline upcoming Security College meetings. The goal is to evaluate the emergency protocols of retailers and their effectiveness during such crises.
Hansen emphasized that the food supply chain in Europe must be equipped for modern and evolving dangers. He noted that the frequent digital strikes on grocery stores are deeply troubling, resulting in financial losses for businesses and empty shelves for the public.
The investigation comes after Monday, when numerous supermarkets across the continent reported failures in their freezing and cooling infrastructure.
Disruptions were documented in six different EU countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Estonia. In some instances, staff observed internal refrigerator temperatures spiking to as much as 50 degrees Celsius.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen established the Security College in March 2025 to address strategic risks and challenges to both the external and internal security of the EU.
This specific forum allows commissioners to analyze the impact of attacks beyond the immediate damage to stores. It frames these disruptions within the context of Europe’s exposure to hybrid warfare, where critical infrastructure is often targeted to erode public trust.
The Security College meets outside of the Commission’s standard weekly schedule. While no specific date was set during a planning session on Friday, an anonymous EU official stated cabinet heads agreed to convene shortly.
Chaired by von der Leyen, the Security College includes participation from all European Commission commissioners.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>
