WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages moved up 0.1% 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% in October, finishing at 237.9, up from 237.5 in September.

Within food at home, half of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in October and half decreased.

The major gainer during October was the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which gained 0.6%. It was the fifth increase in a row for the category.

Meanwhile, the index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.4% after declining in each of the three previous months, and the fruits and vegetables index rose 0.2% after declining 0.9% in September.

In contrast to the increases, the index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.4% after rising in August and September, and the indexes for dairy and related products and for other food at home both fell 0.2%.

The food at home index was up 0.1% in October, and over the past 12 months has increased 0.8%, the B.L.S. said.