A Swedish minister’s phobia of bananas has attracted widespread attention after leaked emails revealed her staff go to great lengths to ensure the fruit is removed from her vicinity.

Paulina Brandberg, Sweden’s Minister for Equality and Working Life, has openly discussed her unusual fear of bananas, calling it “the world’s strangest phobia”. Recently released emails, published by the Swedish newspaper Expressen, show that her aides even coordinate with officials to clear premises of banana tracks before she attends meetings.

A September email to the Swedish speaker’s office asked that “no traces of bananas be in the room” before a meeting, citing a “strong allergy.”

Other communications revealed her staff was tasked with making sure there were no bananas at an event she attended, with one email saying: “We will secure the conference so there are no bananas.”

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his support for Paulina Brandberg and believed that the issue had not affected the functioning of the government. – I have all the respect for people who have different phobias, said Ulf Kristersson. It bothers me when a hard working minister is almost reduced to a phobia.

Paulina Brandberg, who did not comment directly to the media, confirmed to Expressen that she is getting professional help for her phobia. Her colleague, Minister of Education Johan Pehrson, called the media’s response to the question “absurd”, and praised Paulina Brandberg’s liberal credentials and previous work on behalf of vulnerable women.

Opposition members also rallied behind Paulina Brandberg. Teresa Carvalho, the social democrats’ legal policy spokesperson, expressed solidarity and noted that she too shares the same phobia. “We’ve had many tough debates about working conditions, but on this issue we stand united against a common enemy,” she said.