Swedish Minister for Gender Equality, Paulina Brandberg, is making headlines for her extreme phobia of bananas, which has resulted in government officials implementing specific requests for 'no banana' zones during her official engagements. According to local outlet Expressen, leaked emails reveal staff asking to ensure that any bananas are removed from spaces prior to official events.
Brandberg expressed her unusual aversion on X in 2020, revealing that she suffers from what she termed the "world's weirdest phobia of bananas." Although her posts have since been taken down, the revelation has not gone unnoticed, with fellow politician Teresa Carvalho also admitting to sharing this peculiar fear. Carvalho described her own bananaphobia and displayed solidarity with Brandberg, emphasizing their unified stance against a shared concern.
The phobia reportedly elicits severe reactions such as anxiety and nausea upon exposure to bananas, whether through sight or smell. Staff emails highlighted the necessity of ensuring so-called "non-banana" settings for high-profile meetings, claiming that the Minister's reaction is akin to a strong allergy.
In an interview with Expressen, Brandberg confirmed the presence of her phobia but clarified that it is more of a psychological condition she is actively addressing through professional help. Carvalho, who represents the Social Democratic party, recognized the commonality of their experiences, stating, "Despite our differences on various political debates, we stand united against a common enemy."
Bananas, particularly through associations formed early in life, can trigger such rare phobias. While the causes remain elusive, these conditions highlight the complexities of human psychology and its impact on public life.
