WASHINGTON – The Consumer Price Index for food eased 0.1 percent in November, finishing at 248.3, down from 249.1 reported in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Dept. of Labor. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs declined for the third month in a row, falling 0.6 percent to finish at 259.1 in November.

The index for beef and veal fell 1.4 percent, while the pork index slipped 0.1 percent. Bacon, breakfast sausage and related products index advanced 1.2 percent in November.


The index for poultry advanced 0.5 percent in November, while the eggs index declined 3.8 percent.

The index for food at home dropped 0.3 percent to 242.2 in November with five of the six major grocery store food groups also declining. The index for dairy and related products also fell 0.6 percent, marking its third decline in the last four months, BLS noted. Compared to a year ago, the food at home index advanced 0.3 percent.

The food away from home index climbed 0.2 percent to finish at 258.8 in November. For the 12-month period, the index advanced 2.7 percent.

The overall Consumer Price Index was unchanged in November. The CPI increased 0.5 percent before seasonal adjustment over the past 12 months.