Laura Cooper and Kristina Peterson

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to take sugary drinks out of the shopping carts of food-stamp recipients. Coca-Cola KO -0.27%, PepsiCo PEP -0.98% and Keurig Dr Pepper KDP -0.37% are mobilizing to stop him. 

Kennedy, the president-elect’s nominee to run the Health and Human Services Department, aims to remove soda and processed foods from federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. The move could have big repercussions for the beverage industry.