In a plot twist that would make a hacker's day, dozens of supermarkets across Belgium and Sweden have discovered that their refrigerators and freezers are now part of a suspected cyber-attack. Around 40 Delhaize supermarkets and 15 Carrefour stores in Belgium were affected, while several ICA and Coop shops in Sweden were hit. Not to be left out, thirteen SuperValu shops in Ireland also reported impacts, proving that international cooperation is alive and well - even among cybercriminals.

The attack, which follows a similar incident last month that affected hundreds of French supermarkets, has led to thousands of euros worth of food being thrown away, according to local media. One ICA store in Sweden reported that its freezers had been set to a toasty 50°C (122°F), presumably in an attempt to turn frozen peas into pea soup. It's unclear who is behind the attack, but early suspects include someone who really hates frozen food or a rogue AI that misunderstood "chill out."

Delhaize, one of Belgium's biggest supermarket chains, told Belgian media that a "computer incident" had occurred overnight at 40 shops. Carrefour, a French-owned supermarket, said it was "currently analysing" the incident at 15 of its Belgian stores. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for ICA in Sweden confirmed the incident had affected a "small number of ICA stores operating outside ICA's central network," adding that "ICA is currently supporting the affected stores in managing the situation." Translation: someone is getting a very sternly worded email.

One of the IVA branches located in Sjöbo, southern Sweden, took to social media to announce: "Our refrigerators and freezers have been hacked overnight and they have set the temperature to 50 degrees." The store was closed earlier but has now reopened to customers, presumably after someone figured out how to turn the thermostat back down. Seven out of the 800 Coop stores in Sweden are also affected, but the company told the BBC that the "situation is currently contained and under control." So, you know, everything is fine - except for the melted ice cream and the lingering smell of thawed meat.