In an unusual twist of governmental protocol, staff for Swedish Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg have taken measures to accommodate her phobia of bananas by requesting "banana-free" zones ahead of official events. Local media outlet Expressen reports having obtained leaked emails where staff members explicitly ask that bananas be removed from rooms before visits, underscoring the seriousness of Brandberg's aversion.
Brandberg has openly discussed her phobia on social media, previously sharing on platform X in 2020 that she possesses what she called "the world's weirdest phobia of bananas." Although her original posts have since been deleted, they brought attention to a lesser-known fear known as bananaphobia. Another Swedish politician, Teresa Carvalho, has also revealed her shared aversion, expressing solidarity with Brandberg on the issue.
The emails concerning Brandberg's engagements reference her concerns that the mere presence of bananas could trigger anxiety or nausea, symptoms commonly associated with such phobias. Despite labeling it as a phobia, Brandberg has also indicated to the press that the condition resembles a "strong allergy." She is reportedly seeking professional help to manage her aversion.
Carvalho, a member of the Social Democratic party, voiced support for Brandberg during discussions, emphasizing that they may disagree on various political matters but find common ground in standing against what they both consider a "common enemy." Experts note that while bananaphobia is rare, its origins can sometimes be traced back to childhood experiences involving the fruit, although definitive causal factors remain elusive.
As these unusual requests for a banana-free environment circulate, they highlight the increasing awareness and accommodation of individual phobias within governmental operations in Sweden.
