WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages eased 0.1 percent in November, finishing at 237.6, which compared with 237.8 in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The index moved up 0.1 percent in the previous month. The food index also moved down 0.1 percent in November, finishing at 237.6, down from 237.9 in October.

Within the food-at-home category, the six major grocery store food group indexes were mixed in November.

The major gainer during November was the index for other food at home, which gained 0.5 percent. The index had declined 0.2 percent in October. Also increasing during the month was the index for dairy and related products, which rose 0.4 percent.

The biggest decline was sustained in the index for fruits and vegetables, which fell 0.7 percent after increasing 0.2 percent in October. Also lower were the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (down 0.2 percent), and nonalcoholic beverages (down 0.2 percent).

The index for cereals and bakery products, which fell 0.4 percent in October, was flat in November.
The food at home index was unchanged in November and over the past 12 months has increased 0.6 percent, the BLS said.

The overall Consumer Price Index was flat in November, which follows a 0.1 percent decline in October. Over the past 12 months, the index has increased 1.2 percent.