United Natural Foods: Security Hack Causes Major Delays

Cyber Attack Disrupts Operations at United Natural Foods

United Natural Foods Reports Security Breach

On June 9, United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) shared a public statement confirming it found “unauthorized activity” in its systems. The company responded by taking some systems offline. It began investigating the issue right away with help from forensic cybersecurity experts. UNFI also reported the incident to law enforcement.

In the company’s words: “We are assessing the unauthorized activity and working to restore our systems to safely bring them back online. As we work through this issue, our customers, suppliers, and associates are our highest priority.”

United Natural Foods Files with the SEC

UNFI also filed a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to the filing, the issue was first discovered on June 5. The company quickly activated its incident response plan. It also took extra precautions by shutting down certain systems.

This response has caused temporary disruptions to UNFI’s business. These problems are expected to continue for some time. The company is working with outside cybersecurity experts to address the issue. Law enforcement has also been notified.

UNFI said it is using workarounds where possible to continue operations. But fulfilling and shipping customer orders remains limited.

Grocery Stores Feel the Impact

UNFI operates 53 distribution centers across the country. It supplies around 250,000 products. These include frozen foods, perishable goods, dry groceries, and wellness products. The company plays a major role in the national grocery supply chain.

With systems offline and trucks delayed, some grocery stores are already reporting problems. They expect to see more missed shipments in the coming days. So far, it is unclear how many stores have been affected or how long the delays may last.

United Natural Foods Investigation Still in Early Stages

UNFI says the investigation is still in its early stages. Experts are trying to learn more about the full scope and impact of the incident. The company has not said what type of cyber attack it was. It also has not confirmed whether any data was stolen.

UNFI repeated its commitment to customers and partners: “We are working closely with them to minimize disruption as much as possible.”

Cybersecurity Remains a Growing Concern

This cyber attack adds to a list of recent attacks on the U.S. supply chain. Food distributors and logistics companies have become popular targets for hackers. As these companies rely more on digital systems, they face greater risks.

Cybersecurity experts say more businesses in the food and transportation industries may need to improve their digital defenses. It is not yet clear if this incident is linked to other recent cyber attacks.

UNFI has not provided a timeline for when operations will return to normal. The company is expected to release more details as the investigation continues.