Liputan6.com, Jakarta Former Sweden's Minister of Gender Equality, Paulina Brandberg, has made headlines for her phobia. She has an unusual phobia of bananas.
Her fear of this fruit led to a special request for a “banana-free” environment during her official visit.
The Phobia
Brandberg suffers from bananaphobia. His intense fear of bananas can trigger anxiety and nausea when she sees or smells the fruit. This phobia is not common but can have a significant impact on daily life.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020, Brandberg described her condition as “the weirdest phobia in the world. However, the post has since been deleted.
Official Requests
According to Sky News, leaked emails revealed that Brandberg's staff always ensured the room was banana-free before her official events. The requests included explicit instructions to remove bananas from the venue.
An example of the request is an email sent before events, including VIP lunches. They specifically stated that “there should be no bananas” in the area where the minister would be.
Seeking Help
Brandberg recognizes her phobia and is currently seeking professional help to overcome it. She describes the effects of her condition as something similar to allergies.