Restructuring and Related Charges (Schedule of Restructuring Reserves by Type of Cost) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2018 USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 14.9
Charges	100.5
Changes in estimate	(4.0)
Cash payments	(33.4)
Ending Balance	77.7
Restructuring Reserve, Translation and Other Adjustment	(1.0)
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	(0.7)
Restructuring Fiscal 2018 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0.0
Charges	2.2
Changes in estimate	0.0
Cash payments	0.0
Ending Balance	2.2
Restructuring Reserve, Translation and Other Adjustment	0.0
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	0.0
Restructuring Fiscal 2016 Plan
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	14.1
Charges	68.4
Changes in estimate	(3.3)
Cash payments	(11.5)
Ending Balance	67.4
Restructuring Reserve, Translation and Other Adjustment	(1.0)
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	(0.7)
Acquisitions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0.8
Charges	29.9
Changes in estimate	(0.7)
Cash payments	(21.9)
Ending Balance	8.1
Restructuring Reserve, Translation and Other Adjustment	0.0
Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	$ 0.0

Cash Restructuring Charges

No definition available.

Name:	mnk_RestructuringChargesCash
Namespace Prefix:	mnk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3367-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of expense (reversal of expense) which increases (decreases) the restructuring reserve from an adjustment to a previously accrued restructuring liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of foreign currency translation gain (loss) which decreases (increases) the restructuring reserve.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the restructuring reserve related to foreign currency translation (gain) loss and other increases (decreases).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAndOtherAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=mnk_RestructuringFiscal2018PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=mnk_RestructuringFiscal2016PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=mnk_BusinessAcquisitionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: