An aqueous polyelectrolyte (PEC) composition for application to a fibre based material for use in obtaining a barrier coating resistant to oil and water, comprises from 0.1 to 20% (w/w) of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and from 0.1 to 20% of cationic starch (CS), providing PECs with a charge ratio of 1; from 1 to 20% (w/w) of a plasticizer; and from 1 to 15% (w/w) of a pH adjusting agent selected from an acid, a buffering system and a base.

A barrier fabric suitable as a backsheet for an underpad configured for a low air loss bed, in which the barrier fabric comprises a first nonwoven fabric including outermost spunbond layers and two or more fine-fiber containing nonwoven layers. Each of the nonwoven layers being treated with a non-fluorinated barrier coating (NFBC).