In an unusual scenario that has recently captured media attention, Swedish Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg's phobia of bananas has led to a government's directive for "banana-free" zones during official functions. According to the local outlet Expressen, leaked emails reveal that Brandberg’s staff were instructed to ensure that rooms were devoid of the fruit prior to formal engagements.
The issue came to light when Brandberg, who had previously expressed her bananaphobia on social media platforms back in 2020, confirmed the condition during a recent interview. Despite deleting her earlier posts, she acknowledged her intense fear of bananas, referring to it as “the world's weirdest phobia.” Fellow politician Teresa Carvalho has publicly identified with Brandberg, claiming she also shares this rare condition.
Medical professionals note that bananaphobia, though uncommon, can evoke strong allergic reactions—primarily anxiety and nausea—triggered by the mere sight or aroma of bananas. Expressen reported that emails sent ahead of events, including important VIP lunches, explicitly requested that “no bananas” be allowed on the premises.
In her comments to Expressen, Brandberg characterized her phobia somewhat differently, suggesting it feels akin to an allergy and emphasized her ongoing efforts to seek professional help. Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democratic spokesperson for legal policy, has voiced solidarity with Brandberg, stating, "We may have had many tough debates about conditions in working life, but on this issue we stand united against a common enemy."
The origins of bananaphobia can often be difficult to pinpoint, though many such rare anxieties trace back to childhood experiences. As politicians adapt their environments to accommodate unique phobias, the conversation surrounding mental health and the acceptance of various fears is gaining visibility in Sweden and beyond.
