Federal Reserve officials signaled they were in no rush to change interest rates even if the economy continued to strengthen, according to minutes from their April 30 to May 1 policy meeting, and some were worried about persistently low inflation.

Price increases eased to 1.6 percent annually in March, well below the Fed’s goal of 2 percent. Inflation has not sustainably reached the Fed’s target since the central bank formally adopted it in 2012, and has been languishing below the dividing line for much of the past quarter-century.

“In light of recent, softer inflation readings, some viewed the downside risks to inflation as having increased,” according to the minutes of the meeting, which were released after a typical three-week delay.

That is contributing to the Fed’s wait-and-see approach to changing interest rates.

“Participants noted that even if global economic and financial conditions continued to improve, a patient approach would likely remain warranted, especially in an environment of continued moderate economic growth and muted inflation pressures,” the minutes said.