WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages increased 0.1 percent in September, moving up to 234.2 from 234, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The food index also rose 0.1 percent in September.

The sharpest decline during September was in the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which fell 0.6 percent after rising in each of the previous three months.

Among the major grocery store food groups the sharpest gain occurred in the index for nonalcoholic beverages, which rose 0.9 percent after declining 0.2 percent in August and 0.5 percent in July.

The index for dairy and related products and other food at home also rose in September, with the former increasing 0.4 percent and the latter advancing 0.2 percent.

The index for food at home was flat after rising 0.1 percent in August.

Also declining was the index for fruits and vegetables, which fell 0.4 percent as the fresh fruits index declined 0.9 percent.

The index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.1 percent.

The overall Consumer Price Index again moved up 0.6 percent, and has now risen 2 percent over the past 12 months.