In an unexpected turn of events, Swedish Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg has garnered attention due to her well-documented phobia of bananas. Reports from local media outlet Expressen reveal that government officials have taken the unusual step of ensuring that rooms are completely free of the fruit before Brandberg's official visits.
Leaked emails indicate that Brandberg’s staff have requested the removal of any bananas, especially ahead of significant events, including VIP luncheons. These emails referred to Brandberg’s phobia as a "strong allergy" and emphasized the need for banana-free areas.
In a past post on social media platform X, Brandberg openly acknowledged her peculiar fear, stating that she possesses the "world's weirdest phobia of bananas,” though her comments have since been deleted. In solidarity, fellow politician Teresa Carvalho, who describes herself as having the same phobia, has also openly discussed their shared aversion. "We may have had many tough debates about conditions in working life, but on this issue we stand united against a common enemy,” Carvalho remarked.
While bananaphobia is rare, it can cause severe symptoms such as anxiety and nausea upon encountering the fruit. Experts suggest that phobias can often have origins in childhood experiences, although determining the causal factors for this particular fear can be challenging. Minister Brandberg has confirmed that she is receiving professional assistance to manage her unique psychological condition. Efforts to reach her office for further comment have been initiated by the BBC News team.
