There are so many things I could say here, but I think the most important one is that the recipe does not claim to be sugar free. It is titled LOW SUGAR Teriyaki Sauce. Yes, it it sweetened with fruit. It does not include cane sugar or other refined sweeteners. It is a lower glycemic option for those looking to reduce refined sugar from their diet. I think you've entirely missed the point of the recipe. Thanks so much for stopping by!

If you add sugar substitutes (with sugar in them) and omit thickeners that have been fermented to remove the sugars from your recipe?? Then I think you've entirely missed the point of sugar free concepts within your sauces.
Either fermentation is not clear or sugar metabolization unclear. Maybe you like the taste of apples more than refined sugar, but this recipe is not without sugar! Fructose is sugar and Xanthan Gum is not sugar.