WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages increased 0.3 percent in July, finishing at 242.7, up from 242 in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The food index also moved up 0.3 percent, ending at 243 in July, which compared with 242.3 in June.

Within food at home, five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in July, led by other food at home, which rose 0.7 percent.


Also finishing higher in July were the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, up 0.3 percent; nonalcoholic beverages, up 0.5 percent; cereals and bakery products, up 0.4 percent; and dairy and related products, up 0.3 percent.

The only index not to increase month over month was fruits and vegetables, which held flat.
Over the past 12 months, the food at home index has risen 2.7 percent.

The overall Consumer Price Index, which advanced 0.3 percent in June, increased 0.1 percent in July. Over the past 12 months, the index increased 2 percent.