Food inflation based on wholesale prices rose to 17.94 per cent for the week ended January 30 from 17.56 per cent the week before, according to official data released on Thursday.

Prices of essential items kept rising with vegetables dearer by 20.93 per cent, potatoes 40.57 per cent, pulses 41.24 per cent and fruits 8.67 per cent during the 52-week period.