WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages increased 0.2 percent in April, climbing to 233.1 from 232.7 in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The food index also increased 0.2 percent in April.

Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes rose during April, led by fruits and vegetables, which increased 1 percent to 281.6.

The indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, and for other food at home each rose 0.1 percent.
The only decline during the month was in the index for dairy and related products, which eased 1 percent to 216.9. The index fell 0.1 percent in March and 0.5 percent in February.

The food at home index moved up 0.2 percent after rising 0.1 percent in March.

Posting a strong gain during the month was the index for cereals and bakery products, which increased 0.4 percent to 268.

The index for nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials, which fell 0.2 percent in March, rose 0.2 percent in April.

The overall Consumer Price Index was flat in in April, which followed gains of 0.3 percent in March and 0.4 percent in February. The index now has increased 2.3 percent over the past 12 months.