WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages increased 0.4 percent in April, finishing at 241.1, up from 240.2 in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The food index also moved up 0.4 percent, ending at 241.3 in April, which compared with 240.4 in March.

Within food at home, three of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in April, led by meats, poultry, fish and eggs, which rose 1.5 percent. The index has now increased 3.9 percent over the past three months, and the index for meats was especially strong, posting an increase of 2.9 percent in April, its largest increase since November 2003.


Also finishing higher in April were the indexes for fruits and vegetables, up 0.7 percent; and dairy and related products, up 0.5 percent. The dairy index has now increased for six straight months.

The indexes for other food at home and nonalcoholic beverages declined 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, during the month.

The index for cereals and bakery products was unchanged in April.

Over the past 12 months, the food at home index has risen 1.7 percent.

The overall Consumer Price Index, which advanced 0.2 percent in March, increased 0.3 percent in April. Over the past 12 months, the index increased 2 percent.