(Reuters) -Beverage giants Coca-Cola (NYSE:) Co and PepsiCo (NASDAQ:) Inc are underneath preliminary investigation by the U.S. Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) over potential value discrimination within the tender drink market, Politico reported on Monday, citing sources.

The pricing methods of each corporations are being scrutinized underneath the Robinson-Patman Act, the report mentioned.

The U.S. antitrust regulation prevents giant franchises and chains from partaking in value discrimination in opposition to small companies.

The FTC reached out to giant retailers, together with Walmart (NYSE:) Inc, for not less than a month searching for knowledge and different data on how they buy and value tender drinks, two of the sources instructed Politico. Walmart is presently not a goal within the investigation, in response to the report.

The FTC declined to remark, whereas Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Walmart didn’t reply to Reuters’ requests for remark.