Apetito, the Germany-based frozen-food supplier, has revealed a cyber attack on its operations.
The privately-owned business, which serves foodservice and retail customers, has issued a brief statement indicating the impact on its operations so far.
“We currently have no access to our IT-supported systems because our servers have been attacked. For this reason, among other things, orders are currently not possible,” Rheine-based Apetito said in its statement posted online.
“Unfortunately, it is not yet foreseeable when we can be reached again. Customers can contact their responsible sales representative.
“Our top priority is to ensure supplies to clinics and retirement homes, as well as senior citizens at home by delivering replacement menus. An internal and external team of experts is working flat out on an analysis and on solutions.”
No details have been released giving any indication of the type of cyber attack.
According to Rheine-based daily media outlet Münsterländische Volkszeitung, the attack occurred on Saturday evening.
Apetito reportedly generated sales of more than EUR1bn (US$1.05bn) last year.
In February, KP Snacks, the UK firm that is part of the Germany-based Intersnack group, was hit by a ransomware attack.
In May last year, Brazil-based meat giant JBS saw its servers supporting the company’s North American and Australian IT systems targeted by what the company called “an organised cybersecurity attack”.
Within four days, JBS announced a “resolution” to the breach, stating its factories were “fully operational”. The company said it paid “the equivalent” of US$11m to the hackers – said by the FBI to be REvil, a Russia cyber-criminal group also known as Sodinokibi – after consulting with “internal IT professionals and third-party cybersecurity experts”.
The affair followed similar incidents in recent years on US brewer Molson Coors Beverage Co., Mondelez International and fast-food chain Wendy’s.
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