WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for food and beverages increased 0.1% 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% in September.

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

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

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

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

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

The index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.1%.

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