In the 1800s, bananas became a point of controversy in America primarily due to the last option: "Some new kinds of bananas made many people sick."
During this period, bananas were not as widely consumed as they are today, but their introduction led to various issues, including concerns about their safety and the potential for certain varieties to cause illness. Additionally, the importation of bananas began to increase, which stirred competition among farmers and raised concerns about public health.
The mention of people slipping on banana peels is more of a humorous stereotype rather than a significant issue in this context, while the introduction of pests could be related, but it is generally less documented as a major cause of trouble. The main concerns revolved around the safety and importation of bananas and their impact on local economies and health.