The State Department was forced to apologize on Wednesday for a questionably worded message that was criticized as offensive. 
 
 “Not a ‘10’ in the US?” the department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs asked, apparently referring to a rating of physical attractiveness. “Then not a 10 overseas.” 
 
 Not a “10” in the US? Then not a 10 overseas. Beware of being lured into buying expensive drinks or worse—being robbed. #springbreakingbadly — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 
 
 The tweet drew criticism online, where some said it appeared sexist or patronizing. 
 
 @gonicholasgo We made no mention of gender. This can happen to anyone unfortunately. — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 
 
 @caitlinrcruz @TimHerrera we're not trying to neg anyone - just trying to warn folks about overseas scam artists. — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 
 
 Hours later, the department deleted the tweet and apologized, saying it meant as a warning for Americans “to be careful while traveling.” 
 
 Some have been offended by our earlier tweet and we apologize that it came off negatively (1/2) — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 
 
 We see many Americans fall victim to scams each year & want all to be careful while traveling (2/2) — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 
 
 The “Not a 10?” tweet isn’t the first time the State Department’s Twitter activity came under scrutiny this week, when many colleges and universities are on spring break. 
 
 On Tuesday, it warned about mysterious contests giving winners “free luggage” that is actually “lined with cocaine.” ||||| Play Facebook 
 
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 The State Department tweeted out a warning to Americans traveling overseas Wednesday — and then deleted the tweet after a deluge of criticism from people who called it sexist. 
 
 The tweet, sent from the State Department's @TravelGov account at 1:20 p.m. ET, in essence told Americans that they're not as good-looking as they think they are — and not to be flattered by the locals: 
 
 The State Department deleted the offending tweet Wednesday afternoon. Twitter.com 
 
 Cue Internet outrage: 
 
 @TravelGov @gonicholasgo Incredibly irresponsible to use sexist and objectifying language to prove you're "down with the kids." Do better. — Breakthrough U.S. (@BreakthroughUS) March 30, 2016 
 
 State Dept. travel advisories being ghostwritten by college sophomore with popped collar https://t.co/Gco7s4n28w — Leandro Oliva (@lmoliva_) March 30, 2016 
 
 And soon came the parody account: 
 
 if you are a "1" in the united states replace all your "mirrors" with "walls" — Travel Gov (@Travel_Gov) March 30, 2016 
 
 when judging hotness BE WARNED: some countries rate by the binary system 
 
 A 10 in russia is actually TWO PEOPLE standing next to each other — Travel Gov (@Travel_Gov) March 30, 2016 
 
 The State Department initially engaged the responders: 
 
 @caitlinrcruz @TimHerrera we're not trying to neg anyone - just trying to warn folks about overseas scam artists. — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 
 
 But eventually, it gave up and took down the offending tweet, with a two-part apology: 
 
 Some have been offended by our earlier tweet and we apologize that it came off negatively 1/2 — Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 30, 2016 ||||| A large Department of State embossed seal. (Photo: Getty Images) 
 
 Officials with the U.S. Department of State are now tracking reports of blackouts and injuries related to potentially tainted alcohol in Mexico and said Friday they have already received a dozen complaints. 
 
 The agency has come under fire from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in recent months for “underplaying” the risks to tourists traveling to Mexico and for not doing enough when U.S. citizens are injured or die while vacationing there. One U.S. senator called the department’s response to tourist troubles in Mexico “disingenuous.” 
 
 The announcement comes three days after the U.S. Office of Inspector General launched an inquiry into the agency’s policies and procedures for handling those cases. 
 
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 “We are concerned about reported incidents that the consumption of substandard or unregulated alcohol in some tourist areas in Mexico has resulted in illness or blacking out,” said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, in a statement released Friday. 
 
 “We take our responsibility to provide safety and security updates to U.S. citizens very seriously. ... Following these reports and in consultation with our Embassy and Consulates in Mexico, on July 26, 2017, we updated our Country Specific Information for Mexico to provide information regarding unregulated alcohol concerns,” the statement said. “Any U.S. citizen who falls ill should seek immediate medical attention. We also encourage U.S. citizens to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mexico.” 
 
 The action comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which since July has identified more than 120 cases of tourists who reported blacking out and being robbed, taken to jail, sexually assaulted and otherwise injured. 
 
 The incidents ranged from several years ago to recent weeks. Most were staying in upscale, all-inclusive resorts in popular tourist areas. 
 
 Many of those injured reported drinking small to moderate amounts of alcohol before blacking out. The blackouts happened to young and older people alike, men and women, as well as to couples and friends. Often, two people reported blacking out and reawakening at the same time. 
 
 When the Journal Sentinel asked State Department officials in July about how often tourists reported being injured in Mexico, an agency spokeswoman said the department did not keep any such data. 
 
 As such, the Journal Sentinel reported, the agency had no way to spot worrisome trends. 
 
 And while the department tracks deaths from unnatural causes, it relies on the Mexican government for information and gathers few details. 
 
 The death of Abbey Conner, the 20-year-old from Pewaukee who drowned under suspicious circumstances on a family vacation in January, was not included in the tally, for example. Although she was pulled lifeless from a resort pool, she was taken off life support several days later in Florida. 
 
 On Friday, State Department officials would not disclose any details about the 12 complaints it has received, citing privacy reasons. They would not say when or where the problems occurred or what specifically happened. 
 
 A department spokesman said the agency will use the reports to “press the Government of Mexico and Mexican state authorities to make the safety and protection of U.S. tourists a priority.” He said consular officials are continuing to meet with their counterparts at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, DC, to discuss their concerns. 
 
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 He would not say whether the issue was discussed when Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray met Thursday with U.S. homeland security officials in Washington. 
 
 In recent weeks, Mexico’s head of tourism has launched a public relations campaign in the U.S. denying widespread problems with tainted alcohol. The blitz is aimed at quelling fears among American travelers, many of whom are in the process of planning winter getaways. 
 
 A 2017 report by the Mexican government and liquor industry found as much as 36% of the alcohol consumed in Mexico is illicit, meaning it’s produced under unregulated conditions — ranging from bypassing proper taxing authorities to counterfeit manufacturing. 
 
 The government encourages bars, restaurants and resorts to break their empty liquor bottles to keep them from being sold on the black market and refilled with bootleg booze. 
 
 The U.S. Department of State encourages anyone who becomes ill or injured to contact the nearest consular office in Mexico. There are nine offices scattered across the country and are staffed 24 hours a day, agency officials say. 
 
 In addition, the department suggests travelers report problems with tainted food or beverages to Mexican authorities at contactociudadano@cofepris.gob.mx. 
 
 Read the investigation 
 
 To read the Journal Sentinel's investigation into alcohol-related blackouts at Mexico resorts, go to jsonline.com/mexicoblackouts. 
 
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– The State Department was accused of "negging its own citizens" Wednesday after telling Americans that they should beware of foreigners who find them attractive. "Not a '10' in the US? Then not a 10 overseas. Beware of being lured into buying expensive drinks or worse—being robbed," the Bureau of Consular Affairs tweeted as part of its #SpringBreakingBadly series of warnings. The department deleted the tweet after complaints that it was sexist and patronizing, the Hill reports. The department tweeted that some "have been offended by our earlier tweet and we apologize that it came off negatively," adding that it sees "many Americans fall victim to scams each year & want all to be careful while traveling." The warning was widely mocked online, with parody account Travel Gov issuing warnings like "If you are a '3' in the United States you must carry a 'hand-written' letter of apology with you in order to travel," NBC News reports. (The State Department says that with delays looming, people should renew aging passports as soon as possible.)