Here are the essential daily information for everyday life in France: food safety, fuel prices and daily procedures.
【Unprecedented cyberattack against supermarkets】
On Sunday night into Monday, a large-scale hacking attack hit the refrigeration infrastructure of major French retailers: Coopérative U, Intermarché, Monoprix, Carrefour and E.Leclerc are affected. A software flaw caused refrigeration system malfunctions, with refrigerators reaching temperatures up to 35°C in some stores.
According to Le Figaro, this attack sabotaged a key link in the country's food chain and caused losses of several million euros for the affected retailers. If you shop at one of these chains, shortages or withdrawals of fresh products are possible in the coming days. Read on Le Figaro.
【Fuel cheaper from November 1st】
Facing rising fuel prices, the government promises a reduction of up to 18 cents per liter of diesel from November 1st, by drawing on strategic reserves. France Info questions, however, the guarantees that would allow this reduction to actually be passed on to motorists at the pump.
This price increase already has concrete consequences on work organization: in eastern France, a company from Lorraine chose to move to a 4-day week to limit its employees' commutes, according to Le Parisien. Read on France Info.
【Meal vouchers permanently accepted in supermarkets】
The National Assembly voted on Monday, October 12, to make permanent the use of meal vouchers for the purchase of food products in supermarkets. This possibility, previously authorized only by temporary waiver, will become systematic from January 1, 2028.
The text, which comes against a backdrop of rivalry between the restaurant and retail sectors, must still be examined by the Senate, according to Le Monde. For employees with meal vouchers, this securely establishes their use for grocery shopping. Read on Le Monde.
【Yuka score now visible in your online cart】
Online shopping is evolving: according to Le Parisien, consumers will now be able to see the rating assigned by the Yuka application directly when filling their cart on shopping sites. This feature allows you to compare the nutritional quality of products without leaving the ordering site. Read on Le Parisien.
【Ceuta: migrants sidelined for Spanish king's visit】
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are making, on Tuesday October 13, an unprecedented visit to Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city in North Africa. According to Le Monde, migrants who arrived in large numbers from Morocco at the end of July conveniently disappeared from the landscape for the occasion, while several thousand of them still sleep outdoors or in emergency reception centers.
This situation illustrates the persistent tensions surrounding the management of migration flows at Europe's southern borders, an issue closely watched by immigrant communities in France. Read on Le Monde.
【Oxfam sues the state over tax equality】
The NGO Oxfam France, led by former minister Cécile Duflot, filed a lawsuit against the state on Monday, October 12. It believes that the current tax system 'no longer sufficiently guarantees' equality before the law regarding taxes, according to Le Monde and Le Parisien.
The NGO denounces the fact that 'the wealthiest buy themselves the privilege of not being subject to the same rules' as other taxpayers. Read on Le Monde.