Monster Beverage Corp. is hitting back at San Francisco after the city launched an investigation into the safety of its energy drinks.

The company, which makes popular energy drinks, filed suit earlier this week claiming San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera violated its rights. According to Monster, it was unconstitutional for Herrara to demand the company reformulate its product and change its marketing and labeling materials. In its suit, the company said Herrera overstepped his bounds and that only the Food and Drug Administration can regulate the safety of its drinks.

“Monster Energy is claiming an unfettered right to continue marketing its products to children and youth, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that its products pose serious risks to young people's health and safety,” Herrera said in a statement Tuesday.

Energy drinks have come under fire in the past year. In July 2012, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg subpoenaed Monster and several other energy drink makers claiming the companies may be misleading consumers about the amount of caffeine in their products. And in October, the parents of a teenager who died after consuming a Monster energy drink sued the company for failing to disclose what's in its drinks.

Read more InsideCounsel stories about energy drink companies in the news:

Monster Beverage Corp. is hitting back at San Francisco after the city launched an investigation into the safety of its energy drinks.

The company, which makes popular energy drinks, filed suit earlier this week claiming San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera violated its rights. According to Monster, it was unconstitutional for Herrara to demand the company reformulate its product and change its marketing and labeling materials. In its suit, the company said Herrera overstepped his bounds and that only the Food and Drug Administration can regulate the safety of its drinks.

“Monster Energy is claiming an unfettered right to continue marketing its products to children and youth, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that its products pose serious risks to young people's health and safety,” Herrera said in a statement Tuesday.

Energy drinks have come under fire in the past year. In July 2012, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg subpoenaed Monster and several other energy drink makers claiming the companies may be misleading consumers about the amount of caffeine in their products. And in October, the parents of a teenager who died after consuming a Monster energy drink sued the company for failing to disclose what's in its drinks.

Read more InsideCounsel stories about energy drink companies in the news: