Food inflation surged to a four-and-half month high of 9.90 per cent during the week ended July 30 on the back of costlier onions, fruits, vegetables and protein-based items.

Food inflation, as measured by Wholesale Price Index (WPI), had stood at 8.04 per cent in the previous week. The rate of price rise in food items was recorded at 16.45 per cent in the last week of July, 2010.

As per data released by the government today, prices of onions went up by 36.62 per cent year-on-year, while fruits became 16.49 per cent more expensive.

During the week under review, vegetables overall became dearer by 14.61 per cent and prices of eggs, meat and fish were up by 13.44 per cent on an annual basis.

In addition, cereal prices went up by 6.22 per cent,potatoes by 10.85 per cent and milk by 10.38 per cent.

However, pulses became cheaper by almost 6 per cent on an annual basis. Inflation in non-food articles, which include fibres, oil seeds and minerals, fell to 15.05 per cent from 15.60 per cent in the previous week.

The Government has said that all efforts are on to control the rising prices. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that although inflation is a huge burden on the common man, various steps are being taken to minimise its impact.

BJP meanwhile targeted the UPA Government for rising inflation in the country. Senior BJP leader Venkiah Naidu said that the Government has failed to tame the prices of essential commodities.