The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages rose 0.4% in January, finishing at 238.8, which compared with 237.8 in December and 237.6 in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The food index also moved up 0.4% in January, finishing at 238.9, up from 237.9 in December.
Within food at home, half of the six major grocery store food group indexes advanced, two decreased and one was unchanged.
The major gainers during January were the indexes for cereals and bakery products and for dairy and related products. Both rose 0.5%.
The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which increased 0.2% in December, again moved up, rising 0.4% in January.
Partially offsetting the increases was a decline in the index for fruits and vegetables, which fell 0.3% in January after falling 1.1% in December. The index for nonalcoholic beverages also was lower, declining 0.2% in the month.
The food at home index was unchanged in January.
The overall Consumer Price Index increased 0.1% in January. Over the past 12 months, the index has increased 1.6%.
