In an unusual turn of events, Swedish Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg's phobia of bananas has led government staff to request “banana-free” zones during official functions. Leaked emails revealed to local media outlet Expressen indicated that Brandberg's team seeks to ensure the absence of the fruit during ministerial engagements due to her extreme aversion.
The situation gained some public attention when Brandberg, a member of the country's Liberal party, admitted to her phobia on social media in 2020, declaring it the “world's weirdest phobia of bananas.” Although her original posts were deleted, her sentiments have been echoed by fellow political figure Teresa Carvalho. Carvalho has publicly shared her similar fear, dubbing it "bananaphobia," and revealed her solidarity with Brandberg in this curious predicament.
Banana phobia, while relatively rare, can cause severe reactions among those affected, including anxiety and nausea, triggered by the mere sight or scent of a banana. In anticipation of official visits, emails were sent out to caterers and venue operators requesting specific measures to remove bananas from the premises, citing Brandberg’s "strong allergy" to the fruit.
In her comments to Expressen, Brandberg confirmed her unusual phobia, likening its effects to an allergy, and noted she is pursuing professional assistance to manage her fear. It’s important to recognize that while some phobias are easier to comprehend, the origins of bananaphobia can often trace back to childhood experiences, leaving experts puzzled about its exact causes.
Meanwhile, Carvalho, the MP representing the Social Democratic party, expressed her own struggles with the phobia, emphasizing their united front against what they termed a “common enemy.” Despite banana phobia being a humorous topic to some, the two politicians are addressing a serious matter that speaks to the complexity of phobias in the political landscape of Sweden.
