As per the emerging details, prior to official engagements—including a notable VIP luncheon—Brandberg's team has specifically instructed venues to eliminate any presence of bananas, citing the minister's severe anxiety and discomfort associated with even the sight or scent of the fruit. In her past social media posts, which have since been deleted, Brandberg described her feelings regarding the fruit as an unusual phobia, acknowledged by her fellow politician Teresa Carvalho, who has expressed shared sentiments regarding this uncommon fear on the social platform X.

According to experts, although it’s rare, bananaphobia can invoke responses ranging from mild anxiety to serious physical symptoms, and the origins of such a condition might be varied, often rooted in childhood experiences. Brandberg, in a confirmation to Expressen, clarified that her condition parallels an allergy and is something she is actively working on with professional assistance.

In a show of solidarity, Carvalho, the Social Democratic spokesperson, has publicly supported Brandberg, affirming that despite their differences in other political matters, they stand united against their mutual "common enemy." As interest in this unusual story grows, many are now left pondering the implications of such a specific phobia within the parameters of professional political life.