UK Meat Processing Industry Targeted by Major European Cyber Attacks
Top security officials warn that cyber attacks are hitting the UK meat processing industry following widespread disruptions to supermarket cold chains and fo...
POLICY WIRE — London, UK — The United Kingdom’s meat processing sector has fallen victim to cyber attacks, according to a high-ranking security official. This revelation follows digital breaches that disrupted supermarket operations throughout the European continent.
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) confirmed it reached out to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) regarding the incidents. In response, the NCSC stated that it is currently monitoring the issue.
The digital disruptions impacted various businesses within the UK food supply chain after a major attack on Monday that compromised supermarket fridges and freezers across several European locations.
Security experts have highlighted the vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure, noting that supply chain attacks can be devastating for companies such as Peter Green Chilled. A review of incidents since early 2022, specifically a cluster of attacks between February and May 2025, illustrates how these threats are evolving.
A UK watchdog recently warned that cyber criminals targeting online food logistics systems could cause significant public distress. This warning follows damaging attacks experienced by the Co-op and Marks & Spencer last year.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has identified cyber threats as a primary risk to the food supply chain, suggesting that the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) must take proactive action to bolster defenses.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
