Inflation declined to a five-and-a-half year low of minus 0.39 per cent in January this year, amid falling prices of fuel items. But inflation in food articles remained high. Inflation measured by the wholesale price index had stood at 0.11 per cent in December last year, while the number for November was revised downwards to minus 0.17 per cent from the provisional estimate of zero. Food inflation rose to scale a six month high of 8 per cent in January, according to government data released today. Inflation in pulses, vegetables and cereals rose in January, compared to December. But the rate of price rise in potatoes, milk, rice and protein rich items like eggs, meat and fish was lower in January. Inflation in the 'fuel and power segment' was negative, at minus 10.69 per cent, while in manufactured products inflation was 1.05per cent. The contraction in WPI inflation for petrol was 17.08 per cent in January. As per earlier data, retail inflation had moved up to 5.11 per cent in January, measured on a new base year, mainly due to dearer food items, including fruits and vegetables.