WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages moved up 0.1 percent in October, finishing at 237.8, which compared with 237.4 in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The index was flat in the previous month. The food index also moved up 0.1 percent in October, finishing at 237.9, up from 237.5 in September.
The major gainer during October was the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which gained 0.6 percent. It was the fifth increase in a row for the category.
Within food at home, half of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in October and half decreased.
Meanwhile, the index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.4 percent after declining in each of the three previous months, and the fruits and vegetables index rose 0.2 percent after declining 0.9 percent in September.
In contrast to the increases, the index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.4 percent after rising in August and September, and the indexes for dairy and related products and for other food at home both fell 0.2 percent.
The food at home index was up 0.1 percent in October, and over the past 12 months has increased 0.8 percent, the BLS said.
The overall Consumer Price Index fell for the first time since April, decreasing 0.1 percent in October. Over the past 12 months, the index has increased 1 percent.