Peter Green Chilled Supply Chain Attack

UK-based logistics firm Peter Green Chilled, a key distributor of chilled, frozen, and ambient foods to major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Aldi, Waitrose, Co-op, Asda, and Morrisons, suffered a significant ransomware attack. The incident began on the evening of 14 May, when malicious actors encrypted the company’s systems. By 15 – 16 May, order processing was fully disrupted, though transport operations continued through manual workarounds. The attack immediately impacted clients, particularly those dealing with perishable goods, as delays created a risk of spoilage. One prominent supplier, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of Black Farmer, warned that thousands of pounds worth of frozen meat and other stock could be lost.
The event drew widespread concern across the UK retail and cybersecurity sectors. Experts stressed that logistics companies represent a critical yet vulnerable link in modern supply chains, where the urgency of time-sensitive deliveries and the perishability of goods increase the likelihood of ransom demands succeeding. Academics and cybersecurity analysts described the case as a clear example of how upstream attacks can cascade into nationwide consequences, from potential food shortages to panic buying.
Specialists further noted that this attack reflects a broader pattern of targeting supply chain intermediaries to disrupt multiple businesses simultaneously. Recommendations included layered cybersecurity strategies, strict access controls, and stronger employee awareness against phishing and social engineering. The Peter Green Chilled case is now regarded as a cautionary example of how a single cyber incident can endanger the resilience of national food distribution infrastructure.