fruit

A Swedish minister's phobia of bananas has reportedly led to government officials asking for rooms to be free of the fruit.

Emails reportedly sent in advance of official visits, including to a VIP lunch, ask for "no bananas" to be allowed on certain premises and refer to Brandberg having a "strong allergy" to the fruit.

Although uncommon, bananaphobia can be triggered by seeing or smelling the fruit and can cause serious symptoms like anxiety and nausea.

“You are starting to see the fruit of people’s vision from 40 years ago.”

The jury awarded plaintiffs Mr al-Shimari, a middle school headmaster, Mr al-Ejaili, a journalist, and Mr al-Zubae, a fruit vendor, $3m each in compensatory damages and $11m each in punitive damages.