WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products in April eased 0.4%, marking the third straight month of declines, the first time that has happened since September-November 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home fell 0.6% for the third straight month, the first time that has happened since February-April 2005.

The April index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 252.7% of the 1982-84 average, up 5% from a year ago. For all food at home, the April index was 215.8, down 0.6% from March but up 2.3% from April 2008.

The C.P.I. for cereals and cereal products in April was 221, down 0.2% from March but up 5.8% from April 2008. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 231.2, down 1.2% from March but up 2.9% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 217.6, up 1.2% from the previous month and up 4.1% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 228.1, down 2.1% from March but up 9.6% from April 2008.

The price index for bakery products in April was 269.5, down 0.5% from March but up 4.7% from April 2008.

The April index for bread was 164.3, down 0.7% from March but up 3.7% from April 2008. Under this heading, the C.P.I. for white bread was 301.8, down 0.9% from March but up 3.4% from April 2008. For bread other than white, the index was 312.5, down 0.5% from March but up 4% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in April was 156.3, down 1.1% from March but up 4.1% from April 2008. The April index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 250.5, up 0.4% from March and up 6.4% from April 2008. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 258.5, up 1.8% from March and up 6.4% from April 2008; and cookies, 241.7, down 1.2% from the previous month but up 5.9% from the previous year.

The C.P.I. for other bakery products in April was 244.4, down 0.6% from March but up 4.3% from April 2008. Under this heading, other price indexes in April included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 248.8, down 2% from March but up 2.5% from April 2007; crackers and cracker products, 285.6 up 0.4% from March and up 6.5% from April 2008; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 254.5, down 1% from March but up 3.7% from the previous year.