produce in purse

Bananas are one of the few fruits you can bring to the EU without any problem.

Maybe try a package of dried apricots for potassium, instead since they’re sealed.

The secret is to make sure that you declare them.

You can also take potassium supplements, perhaps have those as a back up for situations where you don't have bananas. My husband does that.

I'd don't recall any mechanism for 'declaring' things on entering France.

Bananas are a good source of Potassium. That said, in a pinch have you tried other sources that are rich in Potassium? I like to take along dried fruits like the aforementioned apricots. Others such as raisins, banana chips, plantain chips…. While in France enjoy the Potassium rich fish such as tuna! How about some Legumes and or white beans, citrus juices…

@ Janet travels. There is a green path out that is the "nothing to declare" path and there is a red path out which is the "something to declare path."

If you have what you need for the plane, you can buy bananas at any supermarket, market, fruit stand. They are much stricter in France about the chemicals that are allowed to be sprayed on the banana skin.

Thank you for your suggestions!

If having a banana means you get all your bags searched, no thanks.

Maybe not so good the french banana.

https://www.liberation.fr/environnement/agriculture/martinique-une-substance-interdite-utilisee-pour-faire-jaunir-les-bananes-20220826_B6N2ND6MLZGLTIVLSLJZDUDUM4/

If you are just taking them to eat on the plane, it is no problem. If it were me, I’d dispose of any leftovers before departing the plane to avoid any customs issues. You can buy bananas at the grocery store after you arrive.

The Liberation article is an example of how the bananas are regulated. Looks like some producers are cheating again. For a while, only organic bananas were available in France due to the chemicals sprayed. Subsequently, in the US, I bought only organic.
Related to this: do you want those chemicals on your hands and in your handbag?

You might take a look at the potassium levels in tomato juice or V8. The former may actually be an option on the plane.

My husband needs to have a good source of potassium, too. In addition to bananas, we get low sodium V8 because he also needs to keep his salt intake down.

One of the advantages of tomato juice over bananas or orange juice is that it has lower calories and many fewer carbs.

A quick online generic check came up with the numbers below. Specific brands may vary.

Banana -- 1 medium (7-8"): 105 calories, 422 mg potassium, 27 g carbs, 1 mg sodium.

Orange juice -- 1 cup: 111 calories, 496 mg potassium, 26 g carbs, 2 mg sodium.

Tomato juice -- 1 cup: 42 calories, 556 mg potassium, 10 g carbs, 24 mg sodium.

I think I've seen V8 in grocery stores in France. Some product nutrition labels are in many languages, including English.

Good luck with finding foods that will supply the potassium you need. We avoid taking supplements when there are foods that will provide what we need.

As I was learning more about this, I came upon many articles like the one linked below. The title caught my attention and the information is good, but it's hard to beat a banana for portability and convenience.

18 Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a Banana:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-loaded-with-potassium

Generally the issues have pretty much nothing to do with chemicals, etc., it has everything to do with pests - at least on the US side and presumably, the French side.

Fresh produce (regardless of where you pack it) is subject to a USDA inspection upon return to the US, and presumably, when you enter France, too.

I'd definitely find an alternative.

Actually for the last few times we went to Paris there has been no custom check at all. You go thru immigration and you are out. Last September we brought a bag of Myers lemons for my sister in law. They were in the suitcase that we checked in. No questions from anyone.

If you don't declare, of course they're not going to ask you about it. Doesn't make it legal or wise.

Much ado about a banana. First, the French don't have the agricultural inspection the Americans have.
Second, those customs inspectors standing over to the side before you go through the doors are looking for expensive electronics you are going to sell, drugs, counterfeits that violate trademarks, particularly French luxury goods. There is no moral or legal outrage over a banana.

But yes, the French, and most of the EU, do care about what chemicals are sprayed, so yes, when you eat non-organic bananas sold in the US, remember to wash your hands. Non-organic bananas are now for sale (again) in French supermarkets but some chemicals that are allowed in the US, are not allowed in France. Buy you bananas when you get here.

My wife has similar needs and we had no trouble buying bananas all over Paris. Fruit is available everywhere.