New Delhi, Jan 14 - India's annual food inflation based on the wholesale price index stood at 17.28 percent for the week ended Jan 2, showing signs of a tempering in the galloping prices, as per official statistics released Thursday.

The annual food inflation had stood at 18.22 percent for the week before.

Some essential items still remained costly, with potatoes dearer by a huge 73.45 percent, pulses by 47.82 percent, and onions by 45.87 percent over a 52-week period.

The limited data on the wholesale index released by the commerce and industry ministry further showed that while primary articles were dearer by 13.82 percent, fuels were costlier by 6.25 percent. (IANS)